Cover Story
M
aimah Karmo,
founder of the Tigerlily
Foundation, emphasizes the
importance of healthy conversations with
young women. Liberia native, Maimah
is beautiful, brilliant and brave. Maimah
Karmo was diagnosed with breast cancer
at the age of 32. Like most, breast cancer
was a physical and emotional journey for
her. Maimah knew she had to triumph
for her 3-year-old daughter Noelle, who
unknowingly gave her remarkable strength.
Maimah steadied the course living a healthy
lifestyle, becoming spiritually connected, and
ultimately becoming an inspiring survivor.
When speaking on surviving, Maimah gives
much credit to her mother. She cannot
thank her mother enough for educating
her as a teenager on the importance of
doing regular breast
self-examinations. When
Maimah felt a lump in her
breast, she knew exactly what to do.
Being so young, Maimah had to push for a
mammogram.
Even though the mammogram came
back negative, she wasn’t comfortable and
demanded a biopsy. Had she not advocated
for herself, Maimah may have had a
different ending to her story.
Maimah is a firm believer in the “Power
of Words.” She believes it is important
to talk to our daughters at an early age.
The conversation doesn’t just have to be
about breast cancer, but more importantly,
how to live healthy lives. Maimah engages
her daughter, Noelle, in an ongoing
conversation about life.
NURA Magazine 53