History

On December 9, 2008 Wanda was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. The first surgery was done the day after Christmas 2008. After two more surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation her treatments ended August 2009 with the cancer gone.

During this time an outpouring of love, prayers, gifts and support came from so many. When she felt the fear beginning to paralyze her she opened her bible and read the first chapter of Joshua. She was given many scriptures that helped replace her fear with an amazing faith in a loving God.  When she couldn’t pray, the prayers of others held her up.

In May of 2009 near the last of her chemotherapy treatments her daughter Gina and niece Danielle organized the first Wanda’s Warriors Mother’s Day walk for Breast Cancer. Family and friends met in Grant Park in Chicago and together they raised $5000.00 for the Network Women of Strength.

One morning after reading II Corinthians 1:3-4, “All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us,” (The Message). Wanda’s desire is to share with others what has been so beautifully demonstrated and given to her, to pay it back to those who walked along side her and pay it forward to those who will have to take this journey.

The first Basket of Courage was created in May 2010 and given on behalf of Wanda’s Warriors. In January 2011, Wanda’s sons, Phil and Sam launched, “Basket of Courage”. Her ultimate desire is that every person receiving a basket will not only benefit from the items of encouragement and information, but will also know the true hope which is Christ Jesus.