Gainesville gala to support women cancer patients, survivors held Saturday at Cade Museum

A night of elegance to help raise awareness and funds for women diagnosed with breast, ovarian and uterine cancer was hosted by a local nonprofit organization.

About 100 people attended Blossoming Butterfly’s Blooming in Shades of Pink Fundraising Gala on Saturday at the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention at 811 S. Main St.

“Thank you for helping us turn the city pink,” said Sonya Johnson, chief operating officer of Blossoming Butterfly.

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Blossoming Butterfly Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in January of 2018 by founder and chief executive officer Nicole Miller.

The organization’s mission is to provide spiritual, mental, physical, educational and financial support to breast, ovarian and uterine cancer patients locally.

Anita Campbell, a mother of two, was the first speaker at the gala. She said she was diagnosed in 2021 with Stage I breast cancer, but has been free of cancer for nearly two years.

“I’m grateful to be alive by the grace of God,” Campbell said.

She met Miller a year ago and admires Miller’s dedication to helping cancer patients and survivors.

“Anyone who knows Nicole knows how hard she works to raise awareness,” Campbell said. “We are warriors of our circumstances. Let us find a cure.”

The guest speaker was Dr. Duron A. Lee, a board-certified family medicine and primary care sports medicine physician at HCA Primary Care Clinic in Orlando, and a faculty member in the University of Central Florida’s Internal Medicine Residency Program.

The theme of his speech was "The Power of Investments."

Lee shared a quote from American business magnate and philanthropist Warren Buffet that states: “Ultimately, there’s one investment that supersedes all others − invest in yourself.”

“It’s important to fund things that help achieve your overall well-being physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and financially,” Lee said. “Preventative health is crucial for overall health.”

He shared statistics relating to stroke, diabetes, heart disease, lung cancer and breast cancer.

“One out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. this year,” Lee said. “This underscores the importance of preventative measures and screenings. I can’t stress enough how important it is to invest in yourself.”

Sleeping, therapy, deep breathing exercises and emotional support groups are all things that can help women keep their bodies at their optimal health, Lee said.

“Seek your friends’ help if you need it,” Lee said. “They wouldn’t be in your life if they thought you were a burden.”

The next speaker was Jennifer Woodard, director of the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement at the UF Health Cancer Center.

Woodard said she met Miller at Blossoming Butterfly’s Pink Fest in 2021, and commended Miller for her determination in connecting patients with the resources they need.

“She (Miller) embodies resiliency, compassion and authenticity,” Woodard said. “She is an inspiration and a motivation to others.”

The Blooming Retreat opened in October to provide services such as a mental health room, wig and makeup room, ‘BreasTherapy’ group meeting room and more to cancer patients and survivors.

Miller gave the closing remarks and thanked guests for attending and raising funds for the non-profit.

“It is very hard for people to donate after October,” Miller said. “This is a way for those who don’t know about the organization to learn about who we are and donate.”

Miller was diagnosed with Stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (Triple Negative) cancer several years ago, and said the process she endured battling her diagnosis and treatment led her to become an advocate for cancer patients and survivors.

“This is a night where you can feel beautiful and honored,” Miller said to breast cancer survivors. “We’re not survivors, we’re butterflies.”

Miller said she racked up a lot of expenses while receiving treatment for her diagnosis that included getting $7,000 behind in rent and $2,000 behind on her car note. She said that fueled her desire to help women not go through what she went through.

“People think the battle is over, but don’t know the battle continues,” Miller said. “The process was worth it. I was able to help 200 women in the past year.”

Miller said she is working towards helping more women in the future.

The non-profit will hosting Pink Fest from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on June 3 at Celebration Pointe, 4949 Celebration Pointe Ave., to further bring awareness to all forms of cancer.

For more information about the non-profit, visit www.blossomingbutterflyinc.org.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gala held at Cade Museum in Gainesville to promote cancer awareness