Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Peterson.
Kimberly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Unfortunately at a young age, I had to come to realization that cancer did not discriminate. The moment I discovered my mother malignancy was one of the hugest devastation’s of my life. I was only twenty years old and my mother being in her late-Thirties, made me realize age was not a factor to who can be diagnosed with cancer. It all begun once she had a hysterectomy in September 2012 and things begun to get worse from there. Sometime after she had discovered some frameworks that we all thought were typical… unfortunately, we had to come to conclusion that they were not so typical. In October 2012, she was analyzed and diagnosed. Being in the battle for just about six months, she gained her wings as my guardian angel.
Life just was not the same anymore, but I did not let that defeat me, instead I used it to my advantage to help others going through the similar battle. I started helping others get screenings occasionally, helping them feel as beautiful and healthy as possible, bringing more awareness, helping and teaching different coping mechanisms to family and friends, and so much more. When it came to the vision of my organization, I was still so lost, but I knew I wanted to begin with the memory of my mom and rebuilding her legacy. I knew for sure that some of the main goals for The Sonia D. Peterson Foundation had to be: committing to illuminating the network regarding the significance of intermittent screenings for diseases, bringing things regarding cancer more awareness, and above all, letting everyone know that early detection is vital.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Starting a Nonprofit has been if not number one then definitely in the top five of the most challenging things I’ve done. One struggle that I faced a lot was being told “No”. When it came to me wanting to work with certain companies or even other nonprofit it was no. Another struggle was finances! Startling a Nonprofit tour finances are limited and I find majority of everything I do.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Sonia D. Peterson Foundation Inc – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
My organization is raising Cancer awareness in the Houston community with hopes to expand to different stares. Yes, there are several organizations that also raise cancer awareness, but what separates me from the rest, I’m not focused on one cancer. ALL CANCERS MATTER at The Sonia D. Peterson Foundation. The media and most organizations focus on: Breast Cancer, Prostate Leukemia, etc., there’s nothing wrong with their focus, it’s just I want to be able to offer Love. Support, education and a resource center for anyone battling cancer!
We are having our 1st Annual 5k Cancer Walk/Run in The Woodlands, TX at Rob Fleming Park at 9am.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future is to build a treatment center called “Sonia’s Place” to house out-of-state patients, but not to be like a regular treatment center, more like. Resort. I want patients to focus on life and their family and leave the treatment for our doctors.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soniadfoundation.org
- Phone: 8323538265
- Email: info@soniadfoundation.org
- Instagram: @soniadpetersonfoundation
- Facebook: Facebook.com/sdpfoundation
- Other: https://showyoucare.eventbrite.com/
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