SisterHermana CEO Veronica Glover on Cancer Advocacy, Community, and Meeting People Where They Are

“As the founder of SisterHermana, my lived experience navigating cancer as both a survivor and a caregiver prepared me to serve as a Mayo Clinic Cancer Advocate,” she shared. What inspired her most was the chance to grow the work she was already doing on the ground. Through the partnership, she saw “an opportunity to scale my "Taking it to the Streets for Life" Initiative by leveraging my ties in the community and Mayo Clinic’s trusted resources to reach more people.”

That reach matters. For Glover, advocacy is about raising awareness of early detection, increasing participation in cancer research, and empowering people to recognize warning signs and risk factors “while there is still time to act.”

Rethinking What Cancer Prevention Really Looks Like

When asked what cancer prevention looks like in everyday life for the communities she serves, Glover was candid—and critical of the status quo.

“I can tell you what cancer prevention doesn’t look like,” she said. “It doesn’t look like the city is turning the bridge blue and white for colon cancer awareness. It doesn’t look like awareness ads on public transportation for 31 days. It doesn’t look like a month-long series of brunches, 5Ks, fashion shows, and galas for cervical cancer.”

She pointed out that while some cancers receive widespread visibility, many do not. "Outside of breast cancer, “there are no avenues that allow everybody to talk freely of cancer, and it’s okay to discuss on a random Thursday.”

The result? People are often blamed for not catching symptoms they were never taught to recognize. “If early detection is key to survivorship,” Glover asked, “how can you detect a symptom you don’t know?”

Meeting People Where They Are

Glover is equally clear about what effective prevention could look like—models built around trust, familiarity, and real-life settings.

She envisions health providers hosting lunch-and-learns for barbers and stylists, training them on cancers that affect their communities and equipping them to start conversations with simple questions like, “Do you know your family health history?” Shops could offer educational materials and information on free or reduced-cost screenings that clients can explore at their own pace.

One of her favorite approaches is even more direct. “My personal favorite is door-to-door canvassing,” she said. “How powerful would it look if a medical professional showed up at your door to make sure, at least as it relates to cancer, you can thrive?”

“That would simply be amazing,” she added.

Letting the Community Lead the Conversation

Community voices don’t just shape SisterHermana’s message—they guide how it’s delivered. At health fairs and festivals, Glover draws people in with energy and creativity.

“When I’m outside, I use fun activities like hula hoop contests and awareness trivia,” she explained. Indoors, she switches tactics, offering knowledge surveys and prizes—sometimes even a Nintendo Switch. “Ninety-five percent of the time, participants match my upbeat energy.”

Those moments of connection open the door to deeper conversations. Glover uses them to review packets outlining signs and symptoms of various cancers and encourages people to read them at home. She also shares resource pages with information about free or low-cost screenings—and her direct contact information. “If they need further help,” she said, “they know how to reach me.”

Breaking Through Fear and Avoidance

One of the biggest barriers Glover sees is avoidance. “Most people avoid talking about cancer unless they absolutely have to,” she said. While breast cancer awareness has advanced public conversation, many other cancers “get left in the dark.”

Her response has been to reimagine education as something inviting rather than intimidating. SisterHermana’s programming is built around what Glover calls the three F’s: Food, Fun, and Fellowship.

A standout example is the Movement as Medicine event, which brought the community together for belly dancing, ballroom, Zumba, and line dancing. “By leading with joy and movement,” Glover said, “we naturally wove in vital cancer education during lunch.”

A Direct Message to Those Delaying Care

Glover reserves her most direct words for people who are delaying screening or unsure where to start—often for understandable reasons.

“I realize that many of us are in survival mode right now,” she said, citing rising costs, job insecurity, caregiving responsibilities, and lack of insurance. “You may be afraid to take a day off to see a doctor because of your boss, or worse, you’re uninsured.”

Then she delivered the message she wants people to truly hear: “If you lose your life today, your employer will post that job opening before your body is committed to the ground.”

“The bills will continue,” she said, “and your loved ones will be left to grieve you… living with the guilt, questioning what they missed or what they could have said to make you go to the doctor.”

Her call to action is clear: “Go to the doctor. Your health is your wealth.” Even if someone doesn’t realize they’re experiencing warning signs, a visit can open the door to a plan forward.

For those without insurance, she points to options like Agape Family Health, which offers sliding-scale care. “I know this because I am a patient there myself,” she said, “and I never receive subpar treatment.”

Her closing message is one of urgency—and worth. “Starting today, put yourself first. Don’t live in fear; walk in faith. Schedule that appointment.”

And above all, she added, “Do it because you deserve a long, healthy, and prosperous life.”