Sandra Donaldson.
A voice for health equity and advocacy for those on the road to breast cancer recovery.
By Magi Thomley Williams Photo by Kate Treick Photography
In the world of breast cancer, where the statistics can feel overwhelming, Sandra Donaldson’s story is a powerful reminder that knowledge, advocacy and self-care are our greatest tools. As the CEO of Donaldson Edge Consulting and the executive director of the nonprofit Donaldson Edge Advocacy, she has turned her personal health battles into a mission to empower other women.
Donaldson’s journey began in December 2018 with a routine mammogram. Focused on her work as a community advocate in Pensacola, she was initially distracted. But what she thought was a normal screening led to an ultrasound, a biopsy, and ultimately, a diagnosis of breast cancer. Her busy life as a professional and advocate was put on hold as she became a “vulnerable woman,” a daughter, a mother and a patient facing 12 rounds of chemotherapy and 19 rounds of radiation. Even while undergoing treatment, she continued to work full-time, only taking two weeks off for surgery and recovery.
This experience ignited a new passion for health equity in her. Donaldson questioned what happens to women without her level of health knowledge, infrastructure or support.
“What about the woman, the young lady who has very little to nothing?” she wondered.
This question became the driving force behind her advocacy, ensuring that women have access to the resources and information they need.
In 2023, while she was a full-time entrepreneur and just two days into a new insurance policy, Donaldson was re-diagnosed with a less aggressive form of hormonal breast cancer. This time, her curiosity was even more heightened. A second opinion led her to a specialist who asked questions no one else had: factors like her first menstrual cycle and early exposure to chemical hair perms. This new perspective shifted her focus from a potential genetic link (she and her sister tested negative for the BRCA gene) to environmental factors.
“The CDC states that our genetic code is predominantly our zip code,” she said, highlighting how where we live, work and play impacts our health. These factors (among others) are called the social determinants of health, and Donaldson is considered an expert on how they can influence health outcomes due to a lack of opportunity and resources.
Donaldson was recently appointed to serve as Florida’s local, state and federal advocate for cancer awareness through the American Cancer Society. Now a two-time breast cancer survivor, Donaldson is more intentional than ever about her health. She’s committed to a lifestyle of exercise, healthy eating and stress management, understanding that “your health is your wealth,” she said.
Donaldson encourages women to be their own first advocate, to ask questions, challenge the healthcare system and protect their physical, mental and emotional peace. Each year, Donaldson hosts a breast cancer awareness event to promote support, education and empowerment. Her goal is to raise awareness and show solidarity with those affected by breast cancer. This year, Strength in Unity Breast Cancer Awareness will be held at the Brownsville Community Center on October 7.
Donaldson’s story is one of a powerful woman who takes control of her health and champions other women to do the same. She reminds us that it’s okay to “jump off the hamster wheel” of life, prioritize self-care and advocate for ourselves and others. Sandra Donaldson’s mission is clear: to ensure all women have the access, the knowledge and the power to make informed health decisions, creating a ripple effect of wellness and awareness for generations to come.
