Black Women Making a Difference in the Fight Against Cancer

Black women are making a difference. They are making a difference in society. They are making a difference in America. They are making a difference in the fight against cancer.

As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to pause to highlight some local Black women who are indeed making a difference in the world through their work with the American Cancer Society.

Tracey Smith is a senior development manager for the American Cancer Society based in Raleigh, where she works with cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and volunteers. She is currently managing the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Triangle event and the Real Men Wear Pink of Central and Eastern North Carolina campaign, focusing on raising money to support breast cancer patients and fund research for breast cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in women.

“Twenty years ago, what started as a job helped me find my passion for helping others and has given me the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of so many,” Tracey said. “It is an incredibly humbling feeling to see the people you are truly working for every day have a thriving life after a cancer diagnosis. Though I’ve lost family and close friends to cancer, I start work every morning with a renewed sense of meaning and motivation because I know that I am helping to create a world free from the pain and suffering of cancer. I’m happy because I believe our work is serving a greater purpose and we are facilitating positive results based on our jobs. Working for the American Cancer Society gives me the opportunity to make a difference and be part of creating a lasting impact.”

For the past eight years, Bennita Dunham has worked alongside Tracey. The Tarboro native is also a senior development manager for the American Cancer Society, managing four Relay For Life events in eastern North Carolina.

“I never want another family to fight a battle with cancer,” Bennita said. “I absolutely love celebrations and the joys of celebrating our loved ones on their birthdays. Our survivors, volunteers and donors also make me love what I do daily. We couldn’t make such a great impact without great supporters. Together, we can eradicate cancer!”

Penny Lauricella is another strong Black woman leading the fight for a world without cancer. The board chair of the American Cancer Society, Central and Eastern North Carolina, first got involved as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society through her sorority at NC State University, not long after losing both her grandmother and father to cancer while she was still in high school. She is passionate about health equity, access to care, and giving young adults the opportunity to get involved in the fight against cancer.

After acknowledging that there were already health disparities and issues with access to care in some areas of the state and within some communities, Penny pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated some of the challenges in fighting cancer.

“Our ways of having to continue the success of the American Cancer Society have changed,” Penny said, “but at the same time, cancer continues. People still need to get to their healthcare provider. What about persons in southeastern North Carolina where there are little resources for travel already? We already had problems with access to care in some of these places, so what are these people doing now? That is a worry of mine. When COVID hit, everything had to drop.”

Penny shared concerns about delays in cancer diagnoses that resulted because of postponed or cancelled screenings during the pandemic. And she talked about the challenges of raising money to fight cancer as the pandemic continues.

“Fundraising is going to look a little different, but our hearts remain the same,” Penny said. “What we want to do remains the same. Healthcare workers are my superheroes. And everyone else who is out for the common cause of what ACS stands for are my superheroes. And I will be here to help champion them all the way.”

To learn more about the American Cancer Society, its mission, core values and commitment to diversity and inclusion, visit cancer.org.