Three years after its inception in 2020, Fight Through Flights’ co-founders have provided more than 150 Black women diagnosed with breast cancer with free travel and wellness experiences.
The co-founders, Alicia Tambe and Esther Tambe, who are sisters, have served women from across 25 states, launched five travel and wellness programs for breast cancer survivors, and partnered with more than 75 organizations and businesses worldwide.
It’s a cause the sisters don’t take lightly because it’s personal. They lost their sister and a cousin to stage four breast cancer.
“It really shook up our family,” the sisters told Travel Noire. “It also opened our eyes to this silent killer in our community. We didn’t realize just how much breast cancer impacted Black women.”
A Mission To Serve Black Women
The nonprofit’s mission is to support the healing of Black women with breast cancer, breast cancer survivors, and their families who support them because breast cancer impacts Black women differently.
While one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer, the mortality rates are 40% higher among African-American women than white women. According to statistics from Fight Through Flights, African-American women are three times more likely to develop triple-negative breast cancer – one of the most aggressive forms. African-American women reportedly also have the lowest survival rate of all racial and ethnic groups at every stage of the diagnosis.
With the odds stacked against Black women, the Tambes have created a safe space for Black women to fight and heal. They have five core programs. “Room to Breathe” covers the cost of a one-night hotel stay anywhere in the United States to allow for immediate rest, relaxation, and reflection. The “Leadership Retreat” provides a safe space for Black women leaders in the breast cancer community to collaborate and share ideas while traveling and relaxing together.
“Roadtrip to Recovery” offers a two-to-three-day solo retreat with the option of including five virtual nutrition, therapy, and personal training sessions. “Staycation Serenity” curates in-home relaxation experiences with the option of having five virtual nutrition, therapy, and private training sessions. Their last program, “Roadtrip to Recovery 2.0,” allows women to take their 28-ft RV on the road for travel and wellness experiences across the continental United States.
“Wellness is such a huge part of treatment,” the sisters tell Travel Noire. “Your mind and spirit have to be right to fight.”
The Sisters Recently Launched The Self-Care Series
Just before their third anniversary, the women launched the “Self-care Series” in October. Known as Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Tambes said they know October can bring a mix of emotions for survivors and those undergoing treatment.
“There are so many moments of joy and happiness but also moments of anxiety and exhaustion,” they explain.
To take a moment away from the necessary but triggering reminders, their self-care program allows women to recover and decompress from the good and bad of October triggers by offering spa and wellness passes for a day of self-care with their partners.