Celebration of Life Cancer/Health Awarness Program

On June 23rd, 2003 Ms. Monique J Muhammad was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes.  At that time she was an only child, single parent of 1 Biological 1 year old daughter and 15 & 17 year old adopted daughters. Monique was also self-employed as a Hair Stylist, Salon and owner of an Income Tax Preparation & Professional Services business.  Monique knew that with all those responsibilities, there was nothing to do but put this diagnosis in God’s hands and put her Armor on to begin to fight.  She scheduled her lumpectomy for 3 weeks later, had the surgery and came home to begin the next phase of her treatment. During the same time her mother (Gloria Muhammad) had been having unexplainable medical problems and just one week after Monique was given her diagnosis her mother was diagnosed with Colon Cancer.  Her mother had her surgery 3 weeks after her diagnosis and they both began the fight and Chemotherapy in September 2003. Monique being a self-employed single mother had to work through the entire process.  After 6 months of Chemotherapy by Monique & Gloria and 3 additional months of radiation for Monique they were both blessed to be told that their Cancer was in remission in early May of 2004.  Monique’s only prescription from the doctors was a daily 5 year pill(tamoxifen) and the suggestion of eating better (She prescribed to herself daily prayer & continuous work to be pleasing in the eye of God).  Monique was so grateful to God for her and her mother both being delivered from that terrible disease that she knew she needed to do something to give back and show God her appreciation for allowing her and her mother to have an extension on their life.  With many friends in the entertainment industry and with her continued support of everyone all it took was 1 phone call from her requesting that they donate their talents in aid to help her raise money to donate to the Breast Cancer research foundation.  Many of her comedian friends knew that through her entire fight they saw her face weekly at their comedy shows in support of them & that’s because she believes that laughter is truly medicine.  So in May 2004 the 1st annual Celebration of Life Fundraiser was unveiled showcasing comedy, great food and live singing performances which continued on in Chicago for 5 years and in Dallas for the 6th just 10 months after Monique moved here.  Unfortunately just 1 week after the 6th annual Dallas Gloria who had just moved there June had to be rushed to the hospital.  This visit revealed that Gloria’s Cancer had returned, in her Lung & had spread to her brain in the form of 3 tumors.  Gloria quickly had Brain surgery and began her fight back to good health, and began Chemotherapy again in September 2009.  Unfortunately after complications from the results of the original colon Cancer surgery in 2003 Ms. Gloria Muhammad passed on October 12, 2009. After being allowed to have 7 years with her 1st & only biological grandchild who was truly her heart and finally feeling comfortable in making the statement “Monique’s got it”.  Monique has vowed that even through all the struggle definitely ease comes after, her mom’s at ease in her place with God and Monique is at ease in her place here on earth being allowed to raise her child and bring awareness to this ugly disease and support others who have or are battling.  She welcomes, thanks and will continue to pray for herself and all of you!