Remarkable Women; Valeda Keys heads to New York City
ST. LOUIS, MO For the past four weeks, we’ve been sharing the stories of several remarkable women in St. Louis. This week, we shared the story of Valeda Keys, she’s a two-time breast cancer survivor who founded the nonprofit “Valeda's Hope” as a champion for breast health.
2019 WOMEN OF achievement award
Valeda Keys is one of the 2019 Women of Achievement, which honors outstanding female volunteers and leaders in the St. Louis community. She will be recognized for Health Advocacy. A two-time breast cancer survivor, she is the founder and unpaid executive director of Valeda’s Hope.
Remarkable Woman: Valeda Keys
ST. LOUIS, MO — Valeda Keys is a licensed practical nurse and a two-time breast cancer survivor. Now she is a champion for breast health.
In 2010, at just 37 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and found the process of being newly diagnosed to be extremely complicated.
StL Men’s Group Against Cancer grants over $350K at luncheon
ST. LOUIS, MO — The St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer is granting hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities. The group held its annual luncheon at Westwood Country Club in West St. Louis County. The money they raise goes to cancer-related organizations, focusing on research, prevention, and care activities.
‘Valeda’s Hope’ giving recliners to cancer survivors
From mammogram to survivor status, Valeda's Hope is there for all women. Hope is what powers the journey for breast cancer survivors like Gretchen Smith. Doctors told her she had cancer exactly one year ago this month. “It hit like a ton of bricks. It really did. It buckled my knees. I could not believe it," said Smith.
woman starts charity to gift recliners to breast cancer survivors
A St. Louis woman keeps her promise to help breast cancer survivors. Now dozens of women can sleep better after surgery. Valeda Keys was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, she had a lumpectomy. A year later, diagnosed again, she had a double mastectomy. When she came home she slept in a recliner. It was so comfortable that Valeda decided to help other women sleep better. She gives them recliners.