Meet Antoinette Greer of My Sister My Friend Breast Cancer Support

Today we’d like to introduce you to Antoinette Greer.

Hi Antoinette, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a survivor of breast cancer, having been diagnosed at the age of 40 in October 2002. My diagnosis was classified as stage III (3) B, with only four stages existing for any type of cancer. I had a tumor measuring 4.5 centimeters, which was rated high grade (10 out of 10) on the growth scale. At that time, there were very few resources available for African American women. There was a notable absence of advocacy within my community, as well as limited professional support that was culturally competent. In fact, I had been experiencing issues with the same breast (a thickened area – a mass) for two years prior to my diagnosis. However, I was only provided with a mammogram that revealed calcifications. My mother was also a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed when I was 16 years old. I felt a deep sense of disappointment that my medical provider did not remove the mass. It was a concerning issue, as it was visibly noticeable and could be felt during my ‘Well Woman’ visits prior to my turning 40. Consequently, I underwent very aggressive treatment due to the delayed diagnosis. This included a modified radical mastectomy, sentinel node dissection, chemotherapy, and radiation, with my treatment lasting for one year. Following that, I took a hormone suppressant for five years post-treatment. This experience profoundly changed my life. During my fight against breast cancer, I joined a support group, which proved to be a significant turning point for me. It greatly alleviated my fear and feelings of isolation; although it lacked certain elements, it provided a source of hope. One year after completing treatment, three other survivors and I established our own local survivorship organization, aimed at supporting other African American survivors by offering culturally competent supportive services. This included a support group led by an African American behavioral therapist and breast cancer survivor, as well as a social worker focused on health literacy and resource referrals to assist with access to care issues. Contributing to areas I perceived as lacking during my treatment journey. At that time, I had been employed by the government for over 16 years, yet I dedicated time to fulfill the leadership responsibilities this role entailed. Leading initiatives and services aimed at alleviating the disproportionate impact of breast cancer on the African American community and championing the health and well-being of our community became my objective. Eighteen years later, I concluded my tenure with the government but am still working to impact lives throughout my community.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
At first, I believed that I was not suited for this type of work, particularly at this level, and aspects such as confronting death could be challenging since not everyone survives breast cancer. Nevertheless, the experience proved to be highly fulfilling, as it seemed that perhaps God protected me from the sorrow of loss to some degree. Just knowing that we were present for them and their families during such a trying time outweighed the grief associated with loss. Although the journey was fraught with difficulties at times, particularly in terms of business operations, securing funding, hiring employees, and managing the organization required additional relationship-building and some grant writing. Not everyone considers it appropriate to contribute, or they may prefer to support larger brands over local charities, regardless of who they observe donating or where they might seek services themselves. I gained significant insight into the fact that being a grassroots nonprofit involves much more than merely the desire to help others. I at some point became a grant reviewer for a larger breast cancer foundation (a big brand) who donated a portion of their proceeds back through community grant making. Once my tenure ended I submitted grants to them and they funded our program for several consecutive years enabling us to hire a staff for our support group and additional services.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My Sister My Friend Breast Cancer Support is grassroots, survivor-run breast cancer survivorship nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for the health and wellness of our community. We began as an affiliate chapter of Sister Network, a national organization, and became Sister Network Long Beach in 2004. In 2006, we established My Sister My Friend Breast Cancer Support, thus for over 20 years we have been at the forefront of providing culturally competent supportive services and resources to women and families navigating the challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis. Our mission is to bring local and national attention to the devastating impact breast cancer has on the African American community. What distinguishes us from others is our commitment to directly influencing the Social Determinants of Health by addressing each aspect to mitigate its effects on our community through the development of programs and services that bridge gaps and create wraparound service safety nets. Additionally, we are led by both peers and professionals. Our direct services include: peer and professional counseling (support groups), treatment transportation assistance, navigational screening assistance, case management, resources networking, Community, Health Advocates Programs, health and wellness events for survivors and their families. Our services are free and open to the public.

What matters most to you?
“Getting the job done matters most to me because it’s about more than just completing tasks it’s about embracing responsibility and making the most of the time we have. Whether it’s a paid position, a personal goal, or a responsibility to others, I find fulfillment in seeing things through to the end. Life, in many ways, is a series of tasks, both big and small, that require action, focus, and commitment. I’ve never just had one job or role and some jobs didn’t provide financial compensation but still offered lessons, growth, and a sense of accomplishment. Every role, every task, teaches something valuable, whether it’s a skill, a mindset, or an understanding of how the world works.

Time, however, is the most precious resource we have. I truly believe that procrastination is the “thief of time”—it may seem like a harmless delay at first, but in the long run, it steals from our ability to accomplish meaningful things. The clock keeps ticking, and each moment lost can never be regained. That’s why I prioritize structure, planning, and a focused approach. By setting clear goals and following through, I can avoid the trap of inaction and make the most of the time I have. This isn’t just about productivity for the sake of being busy—it’s about purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mysistermyfriendbcs.com
• LinkedIn: https://pe.linkedin.com/company/my-sister-my-friend-breast-cancer-support
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/my-sister-my-friend-breast-cancer-support-long-beach

Image Credits
Debra Potter
Theresa King (TK Ministries)
Sequoia Crandell