Akron Man Turns Tragedy Into Triumph and Opens First Black-Owned Breast Cancer Resource Center in Ohio

    AKRON, OH, May 04, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- After tragically losing his mother to breast cancer in 2009, Lavar Jacobs, Founder of nonprofit organization Not Just October set out to make a difference through education, unconventional awareness, advocacy and compassion. Having a goal of opening the first ever Black-owned breast cancer center in memory of his late mother Kim Jacobs has always been Jacobs' objective. On Saturday, May 1, 2021 that goal will be a reality. From 1pm - 3pm EST, Jacobs will be receiving friends, family and guests for the grand opening of the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center (KJC).

The Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center is located at 946 Kenmore Blvd, Akron, Ohio 44314 and will serve as the home of Not Just October. The center is the first and only breast cancer center to be Black-owned and operated in the state of Ohio. Most importantly, KJC will serve as a hub for women, men and families affected by breast cancer to come receive counseling services, speak with an on-site nurse, have access to a food pantry, hair and makeup services, access to library books, a children's center, and schedule services such law care, snow removal and so much more. Wearing pink in the month of October is a nice representation of and acknowledgement of breast cancer, but if you ask the patients who battle the disease year-round, they'd beg to differ and that's why Jacobs has made it his life's mission to create an organization and safe space for women and their families ALL year and not just during the month of October.

"All of the hard work and dedication in my community over the past six years through Not Just October has led us to this momentous point. Words cannot simply express the excitement flowing through my body as we embark on the journey that is the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center! I can feel the presence of my mom in the walls and I know that she is here with me and smiling down from heaven. My mom was the catalyst, passion has been the fuel, and the strength of all of the women currently battling breast cancer has been the driving force of our mission at Not Just October. I'm looking forward to making a huge difference now and forever!" says Lavar Jacobs, Founder of Not Just October.

For more information about the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center and Not Just October, visit www.notjustoctober.org and on social media @KimJacobsBreastCenter and @NotJustOctober. Media inquiries, please contact Aryel Nicole at [email protected].

About Not Just October
Not Just October (NJO), a nonprofit organization, was created in 2014 to expand the knowledge and resources available to breast cancer patients, survivors, and their families. NJO is dedicated to fostering a culture of encouragement, advocacy, and total support. Through the promotion of education and community engagement, NJO's mission is to improve the awareness around breast cancer and its effect on families around the world. Besides contributing to the research and development in the fight against breast cancer, NJO makes it their mission to extend a helping and caring hand to those who have already been affected by the disease. Through frequent community events and outreach programs, Not Just October continues to spread their message and garner support from people around the country.

About the Founder
Lavar Jacobs founded Not Just October (NJO) in memory of his mother, Kim Jacobs, who passed away in 2009 from breast cancer. Seeing first hand how his mother struggled to do everyday activities, his vision to change the way that communities think and talk about breast cancer came to fruition through the development of NJO. Jacobs's mission is to continue to stress the importance of regular health screenings, self-exams, and to improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients. As Lavar continues to grow his mission and gain more support across the nation, he's adamant about spreading the word that breast cancer is an issue worthy of attention all year round, not just in the month of October.

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