Meet Dr. Merita Mccalister, Drph, Lmsw | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Merita Mccalister, Drph, Lmsw and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Merita, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Lula’s Legacy of Love Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that stands as a heartfelt tribute to the enduring memory of Mrs. Valerie Marie McCalister (Brown), a beloved figure deeply cherished by all who knew her. Our foundation was born out of the profound love and affection we hold for Valerie, known affectionately as Lula by me, her daughter, and as Tubby or Auntie by many others.

Lula was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer ten months before anyone knew her diagnosis. In her last ten months, Lula silently faced the challenge of inflammatory breast cancer, trying several treatments with her husband, David, by her side.

I think it is important to note that inflammatory breast cancer is not easily detected; there are no standardized screening tests for IBC, and a mammogram doesn’t always detect it. Therefore, even with completing mammogram screenings regularly, this form of breast cancer is usually misdiagnosed as a rash initially and in the late stages; in Lula’s case, she was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer stage 3c in September of 2022. Her last form of treatment was liquid chemotherapy, which was ultimately the staple that drastically declined her health. Though true, during her last ten months, she continued to live life to the fullest and remained present for all those she loved, even in the mix of her challenges.

As a licensed social worker with a Doctorate in Public Health, I have first-hand experience with the inequities in health care. Still, when it directly impacts you and those you love, it provides a different perspective. The defining moment for starting the nonprofit I remember vividly standing in the hallways of the hospital where Lula was now fighting for her life in the ICU. During a conversation about her care, I had a palliative care representative attempt to diminish her life’s value because she was an older black woman. The depth of this conversation led to what is now Lula’s Legacy of Love Foundation and I knew then I wanted to help other minority women fight for the care they deserved and to know they deserve to live beyond diagnosis regardless of the type of breast cancer or stage when diagnosis.

Our mission is to empower minority women diagnosed with breast cancer, forging pathways to health equity. Our goal is to invest in these women and their families, helping to bridge disparity gaps in care because minority women deserve the opportunity to live beyond their diagnosis and have improved healthcare outcomes.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
According to the Office of Minority Health, there are 40% more deaths among black women with breast cancer compared to non-hispanic white women. Additionally, they are more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages and at more advanced stages of the disease. With such drastic statistics, our foundation is dedicated to addressing health disparities in breast cancer, with a particular focus on empowering minority women diagnosed with aggressive subtypes of the disease.

At Lula’s Legacy of Love, we are deeply committed to promoting health equity and addressing these disparities that affect minority women with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Our organization recognizes the urgent need to tackle these disparities head-on and is dedicated to:

Raising Awareness about breast cancer disparities, ensuring that they are acknowledged and understood within our communities.

Providing Support and Education, offering resources that empower individuals to make informed decisions about their breast health.

Advocating for practices aimed at reducing disparities in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. We work collaboratively with organizations and stakeholders to drive positive change.

Actively engaging with communities and healthcare providers, to foster collaboration in addressing these disparities and improving access to quality care.

We believe that by working together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of black women and communities affected by breast cancer disparities, and this year we are coming together by hosting our breast cancer walk in Tampa on October 26th. Through our breast cancer walk this year, the foundation will be able to launch our medical bill payment assistance program. We understand the financial strain that medical bills can place on individuals and families dealing with cancer. Our assistance program is here to help ease that burden by providing financial support for medical bills.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this shoutout to my mother Lula as I affectionately called her. Lula, truly a chosen child of God was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer stage 3c in September of 2022. Her unwavering faith illuminated her daily life and teachings. She cared for others, both personally and professionally throughout her lifetime.

In her last 10 months, Lula silently faced the challenge of inflammatory breast cancer, with her husband, faithfully honoring her wishes not to share her battle and serving as her primary caregiver till her last days.

While time may gradually soften the pain of grief, the love we feel for her remains unwavering. Lula imparted to us the art of living a life steeped in love—a love that will live on and carry her Legacy, a legacy of boundless love that continues to touch hearts and inspire us all.

Website: https://www.lulaslegacyoflovefoundation.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lulas_legacy_oflove_foundation/

Other: https://give.lulaslegacyoflovefoundation.org/event/save-the-tatas/e605478

Image Credits
Personal Photos Taken By Dr. Merita McCalister, DrPH, LMSW
Flyers / Logo / Brand Content Created by Luna Bowman