Hello everyone! My name is Mariah, and I am back today writing to you about my interview with a mentor from WOCA’s Woman to Woman Mentorship Program. I am a senior at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in Healthcare Administration program. I am an intern this Spring 2020 for WOCA and am doing my final project on the Woman to Woman Mentorship Program, as well as, educating not only my classmates, but the general public about ovarian cancer.
For one of my assignments in the internship class, I have to interview three people within the company that work in different aspects of it. So far that has included my interviewing Ashley and Jennifer. I just finished my interview with Missy; as she is a mentor in the Woman to Woman Mentorship Program.
Woman to Woman is, “a pairing of survivors (or women who are further along in their cancer journey), with those who have been more recently diagnosed”. This program is based on providing emotional support. Missy is a two-and-a-half-year cancer survivor who has two mentees through this program. They communicate via emails, texts, or in person. Sharing experiences for the ladies seems to be beneficial and “it’s good to know that we are not alone and there are others going through similar experiences” states Missy.
Missy is glad to be able to help others and be apart of their experiences, as well as, giving back. The most important leadership lesson that she has learned is to be a good listener and to be empathetic. It is all about the connection with others and the relationships that you can build.
I have been learning a lot through these interviews, not only about the company, ovarian cancer, and themselves, but myself as well. All three of these individuals have helped me make decisions about my future and I couldn’t be more excited to see my next steps after graduation. I can only hope that one day I can be a bigger part of these programs for all of the ladies involved!
Thank you for reading!
If you would like to join WOCA's Woman to Woman mentorship program please email us at friends@wisconsinovariancancer.org