Wings of Hope: An Afternoon of Faith, Fellowship & Survivorship

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On Saturday, May 16, 2026, Liam and I had the pleasure of attending the 27th Annual Against All Odds “Wings of Hope” Brunch, held at the MSUFCU Building in East Lansing, Michigan.

From the moment guests walked through the doors, the atmosphere felt warm, uplifting, and filled with purpose. Purple butterflies, soft floral arrangements, and messages of hope decorated the room, serving as beautiful reminders of transformation, survival, and strength. It was more than just a brunch, it was a celebration of life itself.

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The afternoon brought together survivors, families, advocates, supporters, and community members for a powerful day of encouragement, fellowship, music, food, and healing. Familiar faces mingled with new connections as guests enjoyed a delicious brunch buffet, raffles, giveaways, and a silent auction that helped support the organization’s mission.

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One of the most moving moments of the afternoon came during the testimony of three-time breast cancer survivor Sandra Ewing who courageously shared her personal journey. She spoke openly about being diagnosed with a HER2-positive tumor that she described as being “the size of a tangerine.” Her treatment plan included 12 weekly rounds of chemotherapy designed to shrink the tumor before surgery.

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But what happened next left the room speechless. Following treatment, a CT scan revealed the tumor had dramatically reduced in size, shrinking to the size of a nickel. Then came an extraordinary moment: as the radiologist prepared to place a marker for surgery, there was no evidence of cancer remaining. Surgery was canceled. Radiation was canceled.

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The survivor described the experience as nothing short of a miracle from God. Her story brought tears to many eyes throughout the room and ended with a standing ovation from attendees who were deeply touched by her faith, perseverance, and testimony. Her message to others was clear and powerful: advocate for yourself, hold onto your faith, and never allow anyone else to determine your limitations.

She also shared that she co-authored a book alongside 12 other women sharing their cancer journeys. The book has become a #1 Amazon bestseller, with proceeds helping support women battling breast cancer in Detroit.

Following the testimony, guests were treated to a beautiful musical tribute from Michael Bell. It was later shared that Michael Bell and Michelle Miller Bell, who also performed and participated in the program, are husband and wife, adding another heartfelt layer of connection to the afternoon’s celebration.

The event was hosted by Tamilikia Foster, a registered nurse, activist, poet, breast cancer survivor, and Daisy Award nominee whose words reflected resilience, advocacy, and compassion. Speakers and performers throughout the program reminded attendees that survivorship is not only physical, but emotional and spiritual as well.

Organizations like Against All Odds continue to play a critical role in supporting cancer survivors and their families through advocacy, outreach, encouragement, and direct community support. Their work serves as a reminder that even during life’s hardest moments, people do not have to walk through them alone.

For Liam and me, the afternoon was more than an event. It was a lesson in courage, faith, community, and the extraordinary strength people carry when faced with unimaginable challenges.

Sometimes healing looks like medicine.

Sometimes healing looks like music.

And sometimes healing looks like a room full of people reminding one another to keep going.