Building a Community of Hope and Faith

Jewel Allen has been through a lot during the pandemic—more than most—yet she is a fountain of positive energy and action, sharing what she has learned about her cancer in hopes of saving others.

It began when her son was born prematurely in July 2020. Tabari Josiah Allen, whose name means "He remembers; He heals," had health issues that placed him in the NICU for the first few months of his life. One of those issues, a milk protein allergy, left Jewel unable to nurse.

She was prepared for the discomfort that would bring but soon realized the pain and swelling she experienced was something else. It took time to rule out other possible causes and in April 2021, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Postpartum Breast Cancer (PPBC). PPBC is increasingly common as more women become mothers in their mid-to late-30s. It carries a high risk of metastases.

Dr. Zhouyan “Yan” Li has been treating Jewel since the start of her diagnosis.

"She believed in me," Jewel said. "The hematologist/medical oncologist honored Jewel's request to “give it to me straight,” even when they feared the cancer had metastasized to her spine (luckily, an MRI ruled that out). Through it all, Jewel was determined to stay positive, buoyed by her deep faith and by the support of her family and friends, a group that has been growing since her diagnosis.

Jewel has shared her journey on social media, encouraging others to learn from her experience.

“I wish it isn’t suggested or recommended to wait until age 40 to have your first mammogram,” she posted early on. “And knowing what I know now… We Young African American Women Don’t Have To …We Can Advocate for ourselves” and choose to be tested earlier.

She has made it through chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, bringing her social media followers (nearly 3,000 on Instagram) along with her. Her posts are filled with her faith and wishes that others have hope they will succeed in whatever they might be facing. She shares photos of herself with GBMC infusion and surgical nurses as well as with family and friends – always smiling and confident. She also always manages to look beautiful in the photos she posts; and, though a shaved head looked good on her, she’s relieved to see her hair beginning to return. Best of all, she can now have Tabari by her side without feeling nervous that, as an energetic toddler, he won’t inadvertently hurt her.

As she begins radiation therapy, Jewel looks back on her final chemotherapy treatment happily. She dressed up for the occasion and was ready to celebrate.

“The first bell I heard was the machine saying my infusion treatment was over,” she remembered. And then she was overwhelmed by the crowd that had assembled for the bell she would ring herself. “I didn’t know I was loved this much!” she said.

As someone who had spent so much of her life caring for others, she wasn’t expecting to be on the receiving end. Whether it is from her family, church family and longtime friends, or the many friendships she has created at GBMC, Jewel Allen is surrounded by love and support. Because of her dedication to advocacy, it doesn’t stop there. Jewel is tireless in her efforts to urge others, Black women and women of faith especially, to see this energy and positivity in themselves.

As she is lifted up, Jewel Allen is determined to lift others.