01.
ABOUT
Welcome! I’m Ashley Dedmon, MPH, CHES®, and I am thrilled to have you here. I am, first and foremost, a child of God and a follower of Jesus! I am a wife, a mom of two, and a member of the Peloton community. I am a passionate advocate, speaker, author, and thought leader committed to making a difference in the field of public health. My focus areas are disease prevention, breast health, child health, maternal health, and health equity. I strive to create positive and meaningful impact, drive equitable change, and improve health outcomes.
Pink Legacy 50/50 launched in 2017. Pink Legacy is not a nonprofit but a social breast health platform whose mission is to INFORM the community about breast health and family health history. ENGAGE with children, patients, caregivers, the scientific and medical community, and community-based organizations to address disparities and advance equity; and AMPLIFY educational and community resources.
As a thought leader, I am committed to driving equitable impact in the public health space. As a lifelong learner, I am currently in pursuit of my doctoral degree in public health with a focus in health equity.
As an author, I share my journey of caring for two parents with cancer as a young teen and young adult. I am dedicated to serving and assisting families and children as they navigate the challenging breast cancer journey.
As a trained research advocate, I work closely with researchers and clinicians to ensure that cancer research is of the highest quality and addresses the needs and priorities of patient’s care.
As a speaker, I am experienced in addressing public health disparities and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging in public health. I enjoy speaking in my community to children and families and helping families facing a breast cancer diagnosis find hope.
Thank you for joining me on this journey!
FEATURED ON
02.
Purpose
I am driven by a purpose that goes beyond myself – to help INFORM my community, ENGAGE with my community to do the work and AMPLIFY the work and resources of others to benefit my community.
I have been deeply impacted by cancer. My family didn’t choose cancer, but I know as a believer that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord. I also believe God does all things well, even when we don’t understand His plan.
Losing my mother was a defining moment in my life. Genetic testing was a pivotal moment in my life. Breast cancer aggressively attacked three generations of women in my family, and through genetic testing, my girls and I can aggressively and preemptively get ahead of breast cancer and other related cancers.
The pain this disease has brought on my family has changed me, saved me, and helped me discover and walk into my purpose.
03.
Journey
Cancer Hit Our Address
My mother was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer. I helped my father care for my mother. It was an honor to serve and support her in her journey.
My Mother is Gone. What is going on in my family?
This was a difficult time in my life and my faith. I was grieving my mother, caring for my father during his prostate cancer journey, scared and concerned about my health, and graduating and beginning my young adult life.
I am not the average woman. I am a Black woman who is BRCA2+.
After Genetic counseling and testing, I began seeing a high-risk oncologist to monitor my breast and ovarian health. I had my early initiation to mammograms at 21.
Advocacy
My journey as a patient advocate in genetics began.
New Course of Action
After a decade of breast mammograms, breast MRIs, breast ultrasounds, and breastfeeding, I began my mastectomy journey by interviewing doctors to assemble the best medical team.
Fear Meets Faith
After finding the best medical team, I had a preventative double mastectomy. Faith and fear can’t coexist. Faith won!
Full Surrender. I didn’t have any breasts.
During recovery, my faith and confidence wavered.
Science + Advocacy
I began my journey as a scientific advocate at two world-renowned comprehensive cancer centers.
The Big Discovery
I authored and published my first children’s book. The Big Discovery serves as an educational tool to assist families and children in navigating through a breast cancer journey.
TED Talk
I delivered my first TED Talk, entitled “The Generational Impact of Breast Cancer: BRCA2+”
Equity + Advocacy
Pursuing my doctoral degree in breast cancer and genetic testing disparities. Advocating at the local, state, national, and global levels.
SPEAKER
04.
Book
Breast cancer affects persons from all walks of life, but we must acknowledge the disparities that exist within different communities. According to research, Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer. Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with later stages of breast cancer and with aggressive forms of breast cancer at younger ages compared to their white counterparts.
By creating an African-American children’s book about breast cancer, I aim to bridge the information gap and provide culturally relevant resources to empower black families facing this diagnosis. I believe that by providing resources tailored to Black families, we can empower children, families, and communities to overcome this disease together.
Ashley Dedmon, MPH, CHES®, presents a heartfelt and educational children’s book that explores the journey of a breast cancer diagnosis. This beautifully written and illustrated resource serves as a valuable tool for families and children facing the challenges of breast cancer. The book aims to help children understand breast cancer diagnosis, the changes they may see in their mother, and how to understand and express their thoughts during this challenging time.
With sensitivity and compassion, Ashley guides readers through the difficult conversation a mother may need to have with her children about breast cancer. While the book introduces the treatment process, it leaves room for families to make decisions that are best suited for their unique journey and share that information with their children in a way that feels right for them.
The Big Discovery serves as a powerful resource to help children and their loved ones navigate this difficult journey with strength, resilience, and hope.
Let’s Start The
Conversation Together
Purchase your copy of
“The Big Discovery” Today!
