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Philadelphia Couple Opens Only Black-Owned Cancer Center in the United States

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July 22, 2019

If it doesn’t exist, create it. That’s the attitude Al and Marjani Harris took when they created the only Black-owned cancer support center currently in the United States. The two have been supporting cancer patients and their families for the past seven years, but saw a need to establish a place where individuals could receive support outside of the typical treatment centers.

The couple spoke exclusively to Because of Them We Can to share their journey.

“Cancer really hit us hard and we were looking for extra support and couldn’t find it, so we decided to create our own,” Al said. “We noticed that there was no center where people with cancer could go to decompress, and let their emotions out, but also be treated with a sense of normalcy. All of our programs are free because we want to support the person and their family without them having to worry about paying for anything.” 

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In 2009, the Harrises had three relatives battling cancer at the same time. Al’s older cousin was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, his younger cousin had brain cancer, and Marjani’s step-father fought and would eventually pass away from colon cancer later that year. 

Ten years later they opened The Cancer Who Cares Center in February 2019. The center’s primary goal is to bring all people affected by cancer together to create a reliable network of support and resources. 

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CANCER Who? PARTY!!! I want to say CONGRATULATIONS to @chelby215 for kicking CANCER a** and looking good while doing it and also for coming to the @cancerwhocarescenter to CELEBRATE with your FAMILY and FRIENDS so they could see you ring the “Bell”, it’s nothing like CELEBRATING with your ENTIRE FAMILY with no worries and I’m glad that you are able to SMILE and enjoy this moment!!!! I feel good knowing it’s a place like the @cancerwhocarescenter for MEMORABLE MOMENS like this #CANCERWho? #TeamOverTime #BLESSED #PRAYERSUp #CWCC #CancerAwareness #Cancer

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A post shared by CANCER Who? (@cancer_who) on


 

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The nonprofit provides emotional, financial and mental support for cancer patients before, during and after treatment. Some of their enrichment activities include yoga nights, spa days and ring the bell celebrations. They also extend the support beyond the walls of the center by attending appointments with their members.

 

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RING THAT BELL MADDIE!!!! Today was GREAT Maddie got to ring the “BELL” in the @cancerwhocarescenter with her FAMILY surrounding her and her Ambassador Cancer Sister @_jazzy_phae_ and i can’t THANK @proudmommy_danielle enough for letting CANCER Who? into their lives Maddie and Jazz has a forever lasting relationship and today was PHENOMENAL we are so HAPPY and PROUD of Maddie and you guy’s FAMILY we know it was tough but it’s OVER!!!! Maddie kicked CANCER A** #CANCERWho? #TeamOverTime #BLESSED #PRAYERSUp #CWCC #CancerAwareness #Cancer

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A post shared by CANCER Who? (@cancer_who) on


 

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“We don’t just sit around and feel bad all day,” Al said. “Actually, 90% of the time that we are at a chemo appointment or at the center, we barely even talk about cancer. We believe in living your life and not letting cancer stop anything that you want to do.” 

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CHEMO SESSION 8 ALL DONE!!! Some ppl might not UNDERSTAND why i do what i do but this SMILE should say enough @_jazzy_phae_ ENERGY and VIBES is INCREDIBLE and her positive attitude just rubs off on you not to mention she’s a DOPE AMBASSADOR herself lol LOVE YOU Sis with your greedy self!!! #CANCERWho? #TeamOverTime #BLESSED #PRAYERSUp #CWCC #CancerAwareness #Cancer

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In researching Care Centers, Al discovered that most were owned my hospitals or organizations, however none were Black-owned.

“It’s a dream to be the first of any kind to do anything but to be the first from our culture is amazing just because of the people that came before us and the things that they created,” Al said. “We feel proud that we can show our children and the rest of our culture that you can always be the first at something even when you feel like you are in last place.”

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When the couple isn’t at the center they’re tending to their three small children, Amari, age 7, Braylen, age 2, and Tamara, 8 months. 

 

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The center is located at 3400 Richmond Street, in Philadelphia’s Port Richmond neighborhood. To find out more about the center or how you can support their efforts, follow them on Instagram @Cancer_Who and on Facebook at TeamOverTime and CANCER Who?

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