Team WHIP Host Survivors Thanksgiving Mixer

Story by Narfanda Ross

Photo by 1033 Photography

“A season to be thankful” is how Team WHIP Co-founder Narfunda Ross began the survivor’s mixer.

“Not only does the calendar say it is the season to give thanks but with us being survivors, it's thanksgiving every season”. WHIP which stands for Working to Help those In Pink teamed up with Purge Nation for a survivor’s “thanksgiving” mixer. This mixer was a way for WHIP to express their gratitude to the community for a great year of support and for those in attendance to identify with each other through exchanging survival stories of life-altering occurrences.

After testimonials, Rev. Rodney Jones, City of Lanett Chaplain spoke words of encouragement to SMILE. Jones started with “this message is for anyone who is going through something. As long as you are still moving and have breath in your body, you are conquerors and should smile”. He reminded us that our faith keeps us smiling through adversities. God’s mercies grant us a new day with new opportunities to smile. Rev. Jones shared with the group, “there are two ways you can suffer; 1 – suffer and people will know it because you show it OR you can suffer and they won’t know it because you won’t show it.” Smiles mask the pain we may be experiencing and shows our faith in God. Jones concluded with “Kirk Franklin said it best with his lyrics, “You look so much better when you smile. You all have a reason, resource, and a responsibility to smile.”

S.M.I.L.E. is an acronym for Still Moving In Life’s Experience. Afterward, WHIP provided a delicious meal from Purge with assorted menu items. Gwen James, founder of Curvy Girls Dance Too, taught the group two dances.

Purge partnered with WHIP with the use of a venue, a game of corn hole, and axe throwing. The event was truly a moment of giving “thanks”. WHIP is a local, non-profit organization providing NOW help to breast cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. To know more, www.teamwhip2015.com