professor at the time was a nononsense type of professor . During the very first day , she said that she did not want anyone in her class who did not want to be there . She only wanted students who were committed , people who wanted to be there . Vanessa was riveted to her seat . The professor indicated that she wanted passion from her students ; she wanted them to be passionate about their craft . From that day forward , Vanessa never looked back . She looked forward to the class every day . The young girl and the college freshman had come full circle . That is one of the reasons that Vanessa delights so much in mentoring young reporters . She understands the mantra that built the foundation of her life .
At This Moment
For many , Vanessa Echols ’ s life would be considered an open book . She lives her life metaphorically , on stage . Vanessa Echols is the Noon and 4:00 p . m . news anchor on WFTV Channel 9 and a three-time Suncoast Regional Emmy Award winner . She has been with WFTV since August of 1992 . Vanessa is also the host and producer of the podcast , Colorblind : Race Across Generations . The purpose is to provide a safe environment for people of all ethnic groups to talk about race , which is so timely now . In addition , she is the host of her very own YouTube Channel : The Do Good Challenge . With this outlet , she profiles homegrown non-profit organizations that started in Central Florida . Remembering the mantra , Vanessa is very involved in the Central Florida community , frequently speaking and acting as the MC for community events . She also serves on the Orlando Sports Foundation board , which brings the Cure Bowl to Orlando each year ; the advisory board of UNCF / The College Fund ; and a Life Member of Girl Scouts ( full circle for the young girl ).
Remembering the mantra , Vanessa knew that her 2004 cancer diagnosis was not just about her . She chronicled her journey as an inspiration for others to see the strength and resilience of dealing with cancer . While Vanessa realized that the emotional effects of cancer were daunting , she knew that the financial cost was equally devastating . The cost of breast cancer treatment and follow-up care could be a financial strain for many people and their families , even if you have health insurance . Besides the cost of the treatment itself , there is the cost of traveling to and from a treatment center , childcare while undergoing treatment , or lower income because of time taken from work . That does not include the cost of treating or managing the long-term side effects . Research indicates that the long-term financial toll of being diagnosed with breast cancer has found that 12 years after being diagnosed , people had between $ 1,000 and $ 3,000 out of pocket costs per year . These recurrent expenses are not always covered by insurance . Many people used savings , took out loans , or went into debt to pay for medical care . One woman tells of taking her 401K money to pay bills and buy medicine ; all of the money she had saved for her retirement was now gone . One woman , who could no longer work because of the three surgeries , chemo and radiation had an especially distressing time . Because she could not pay her bills : her lights were cut off , her water was shut off , and her gas was shut off .
Even as she maneuvered her diagnosis and treatment , she knew others were not as blessed . God had allowed her to be here and had a purpose for her life . She heard the life echo in her ear . This led her to search for an organization where she could contribute her time and talent to help others meet some of their basic needs and that she could use as a referral . Her search was futile . There was no such organization . With the nudging of some close friends around her , the seed was planted that if there is none , then maybe the mantra meant for her to create one . In 2007 Vanessa founded Compassionate Hands and Hearts Breast Cancer Outreach . The organization provides financial and emotional support along with in-kind services for Central Florida patients fighting breast cancer . She wants people to know that getting well is the most important thing . This organization is here to possibly give the patients one less thing to worry about .
Compassionate Hands and Hearts Breast Cancer Outreach is an allvolunteer organization . Vanessa treats the organization as a part-time job that she does not get paid
IBA Success Magazine n VOL 7 , Issue 1 34