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Debra N. Marshall founded the Yvonne McCalla Foundation Inc. (YMF Inc.) in memory of her mother, Yvonne M. McCalla. During her short, yet monumental life Yvonne McCalla left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. She was small in stature and had a voice so softly spoken it sounded like a whisper. She had the shyness of a young child attending the first day of school, yet the tenacity of a woman who had overcome life’s many obstacles. She held a firm belief that she could do “anything through Christ who strengthened her” (Philippians 4:13). Yvonne had characteristics so humbling that it left many with a desire to want to know more about her. Yvonne was a woman of great moral, intellectual and spiritual value; therefore, worthy of commemoration.
Yvonne was a single parent of two children, Kirk and Debra. She worked hard to achieve her education while being a great mother and a wonderful role model to her children. For several years she was employed full-time in the health care industry while simultaneously attending school.
Yvonne successfully completed her Bachelors of Science Registered in Nurse Degree (BSN, RN) from Dominican College, located in Blauvelt, New York. With a compassionate heart, a warm touch, respect for the medical profession and a genuine love for people, Yvonne then began her life long dream of working as a nurse. Yvonne worked on the oncology unit attending to the medical needs of many cancer patients.
Through her profession, educational background, and personal experience with breast cancer, Yvonne recognized the importance of minority women’s participation in breast cancer research studies. She explained that although there have been some breakthroughs in breast cancer therapies, minority women continue to die as a result of the illness at a faster pace than Caucasian-American women. Minority women, although having lower incidence rates of breast cancer, face increased breast cancer mortality rates. Researchers hypothesize possible reasons for these differences, including both socioeconomic and biological factors. In addition, minority women tend to have breast cancer subtypes that are more aggressive, and have poorer prognosis.
This was observed in the case of Yvonne McCalla who was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2005. On August 12, 2006, Yvonne lost a courageous 1 ½ year battle with her disease. Yvonne’s faith, strength, generosity, love for people and most importantly, her love for GOD was an inspiration to all those she encountered.
Yvonne was a member of the Abundant Life Family Worship Church (ALFWC) where she served on the SOZO health ministry. She was also a member of the Sister’s Network of Central New Jersey, an African American Breast Cancer Survivorship Organization. Yvonne loved horticulture and enjoyed spending time cultivating her garden. Yvonne also enjoyed spending time with her two grandsons Zahire and Quince. The Yvonne McCalla Foundation Incorporated is befitting of the life that she lived.
