Every Color Matters Non-profit Founder Is On A Mission To Support Anyone Fighting Cancer

Cancer continues to plague our society, leaving countless families heartbroken and in debt. From the severity of the disease to the price of treatments, the decisions made by cancer patients are truly matter of life or death.

One man from Griffin, Georgia, is doing his part to help as many people as he can in their fight against cancer regardless of race, religion, or creed. Barney Jackson is the founder of Every Color Matters, a non-profit cancer foundation, which he started in 2016. As stated on the foundation's website, it "provides encouragement, hope, & support to those in our local community affected by cancer through fundraising and raising awareness of its many forms."

Every Color Matters extends its support beyond financial aid for individuals currently battling cancer. The organization also plays a vital role in educating communities in the Atlanta metropolitan and surrounding areas. Through informative materials, the non-profit addresses topics such as the causes of cancer, preventive measures, the significance of early detection, and the resources available to those affected.

Jackson's journey to founding Every Color Matters is deeply personal. He shares that it was tragedies in his own life that inspired him to make a difference in the battle against cancer.

"My godfather, who was the pastor of my church, passed away from colon cancer. In 2011, I had a brother to pass away from brain cancer. My biological father passed away three years after that, from kidney cancer. And then my stepfather passed away from lung cancer three years after that," Jackson shared in our interview. It was the pain of these experiences and his mother's own battles with cancer, which she survived twice, that ignited a spark within him to create something meaningful.

Every Color Matters was started by way of a 5K walk that Jackson had a dream about. "I literally dreamed that I created a cancer awareness 5K. And when I woke up, I was like, 'I have no idea how to do a 5K but I'm going to do it.' And I reached out to my aunt and was like, 'Hey, this is what I'm gonna do and she was like, 'Nephew, whatever you want to do, I'm here to support. Let's do it.' And I ventured out to do a 5K not knowing what I was getting into not knowing about anything," Jackson shares.

The community came out and supported Every Colors Matters' first 5K, held in Fayetteville, Georgia, with over 130 registrants while raising over $7,000. "The mayor at the time gave us the key to the city and created an Every Color Matters Day to be known in the city of Fayetteville," Jackson excitedly shares. But it is clear that Jackson is putting in the work as his foundation hosted its latest fundraising gala over the summer, which was attended by over 420 people while raising just shy of $30,000.

Although women are normally the most recognized during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, men can get breast cancer too. "I don't want to say everybody but men tend to kind of wait on going to the doctor... and sometimes it's too late," Jackson says. According to the CDC, women were 33 percent more likely than men to visit a doctor. Men also tend not to have a primary physician, which research suggests is one of the factors why men don't go to the doctors as often as they should. But it's imperative for men, especially Black men, to get checked regularly. Even the slightest ailment or long-term discomfort should be reviewed by a doctor.

Every Color Matters is intentional about helping anyone who is fighting cancer. "It [cancer] doesn't discriminate, so we don't either," Jackson says. Those unfamiliar with battling cancer often lack an understanding of the hardships it imposes on both patients and their families. "We support those that are currently going through any form of cancer, not just the individual but their caregivers and their families in times of need. Of course, providing financial resources, which is major, but also being a listening ear. Sometimes just transportation. You wouldn't believe how many people just don't have money to get to a treatment. And so missing a treatment can sometimes be life or death," Jackson explains.

The foundation looks to the future and wants to expand its reach and establish chapters in different states across America, such as Every Color Matters DC, Every Color Matters New York, and Every Color Matters LA. Jackson wants to continue to build partnerships with organizations like St. Jude and the American Cancer Society as an advocate for cancer patients and those undergoing cancer treatment.

Check out the full interview with Barney Jackson below.

To connect with Every Color Matters and support their cause, you can follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Donations and further information can be found on EveryColorMatters.com. If you know someone battling cancer who requires assistance, please reach out to Every Color Matters for support and resources.

Photo Credit: Will Brown