Submitted by Sharon Bacon
The founder and CEO of My Basket of Hope (MBOH), Doris Randall, will receive President Joe Biden’s “Presidential Honoree Award” on August 19, 2023 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Boynton Beach, FL. She is being honored for her tireless work to support and help those with cancer. Once one hears the diagnosis, “cancer, ”Ms. Randall is ready, delivering baskets of hope and encouragement to patients and survivors. Decorated baskets filled with notepads, pens, calendars, water bottles, headwraps, personal toiletries, snacks, and water, are delivered with a bright smile and a warm heart to a stranger who quickly becomes a friend forever.
In 2016, MBOH was born to comfort patients experiencing the gruesome cancer treatment(s) journey to eradicate “the beast” (cancer) from the body. Ms. Randall authored a book so aptly named, “Battling the Beast…Again” that describes her two-time, gut-wrenching war with breast cancer that spanned 30 years between each diagnosis. Ms. Randall’s personal journey and her story equipped her with the life experience to share and help others to recover. During the treatments and surgeries, Ms. Randall discovered the lack of information for mastectomy patients in need of a bra to physically and mentally restructure their lives. Today, many women are not aware insurance companies are required to provide mastectomy bras annually and for those without insurance. MBOH provides annual bra fittings provided by an experienced bra fitter. Participants leave the event with newly fitted bras and a gigantic boost of self-confidence. Survivors also have an opportunity to share their often-hidden story and form new friendships. Many of the annual events feature medical professionals addressing self-care, nutrition, fitness, and/or treatment discoveries.
“I have so much I want to accomplish with My Basket of Hope,” said Ms. Randall. “MBOH goals include adding mobile diagnostic visits to schools and churches, to building a House of Hope for indigents who are unable to receive cancer treatment due to the lack of a safe, healthy place to live.” Ms. Randall also said “I am humbled and thankful by this recognition. I feel reenergized to continue this path to reach more people. I want to do my part to equalize access to treatment – reaching patients at the beginning stages of cancer.
MBOH has crossed Florida state line and now has two active chapters: Fort Lauderdale and now in Albany, Georgia, where Ms. Randall drives the highways to deliver her baskets of hope and oftentimes, the first, new mastectomy bra to a survivor.
My Basket of Hope, a 501(c)(3) organization, seeks and appreciates donations to purchase bras, prostheses, basket items, and to offset the costs of events. For more information about the organization, donations and/or events visit mybasketofhope.com.
