About Us
Chemo Divas was created out of our own personal experiences with my mother's cancer journey
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Paulette A. Steeves
Mother | Friend | Fighter
In 2019, Paulette Ann Steeves was a 48-year-old mother of two in the best shape of her life. Between 4 AM workouts, body building & half marathons, she was the picture of health.
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Her life would forever change on October 10th of that year when she was diagnosed with Stage II HTLV-1 associated Adult T-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Given her athletic background, it was clear that Paulette never backed down from a challenge and this cancer battle would be no different.
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Throughout her 16-month fight, Paulette visited 6 different hospitals across the country, and attempted over 10 different treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation and clinical trial immunotherapy. She experienced job loss, relocated 800 miles for treatment, and endured countless COVID-related delays in her healthcare treatment.
Despite her diagnosis, Paulette continued to be an amazing mother, friend, and inspiration to whomever crossed her path. Dawning a radiant smile on her face, she always reminded everyone that this was just another race she'd finish one step at a time...
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With an unshakeable will-to-live, Paulette fought with everything she could until the final hour. And although my beautiful mother was healed in heaven, I know her spirit will live on through the Chemo Divas Foundation.
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Established to support women like my mother during their own cancer journeys, The Chemo Divas Foundation is here to ensure "No One Fights Alone!"
Tatiana & Elijah
Family | Caregivers
In 2019, I was a 26-year-old living in North Carolina, planning a wedding and traveling across the country as a finance & accounting consultant. My brother, Elijah, was a 16-year-old junior in high school playing football, thinking about college and just trying to pass his driving test. Our mom had been our rock our entire lives, cheering us on and devoting everything she had to us.
On October 10th, our superhero of a mom was suddenly diagnosed with an incredibly rare and aggressive form of cancer. We weren't sure of what our mom's cancer journey would entail, but we knew it was our job to do anything we could to heal the woman who had sacrificed everything for us.
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Although we quickly adjusted to caring for our mom in the first few months, the isolation and healthcare impacts of COVID quickly intensified our caregiving responsibilities. Whether it was coordinating appointments, attending to household finances, managing 25+ prescriptions, monitoring symptoms & side effects, cooking/cleaning the home or the countless other tasks caregivers take on, we became a critical part of our mom's cancer care team.
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While there were tough days, these experiences showed us how vital it is for cancer patients to have a strong community full of love and support in their corner during and after treatment. When my mother transitioned to heaven, I vowed that I would never let her spirit die. Our mother taught us to find purpose in our pain, which is why I have created the Chemo Divas community.
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Everything changed when our mom was diagnosed because cancer impacts the entire family. Even though I can't bring my mother back, I will continue to spread love and support to women like my mom as they embark on their own journeys in her honor.
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Our Community
Family | Friends | Strangers
Upon hearing of Paulette's cancer diagnosis, our friends, family, and members of our community rallied around us with more love and support than we could have ever imagined.
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From hospital visits, food deliveries, spiritual support, financial resources, prayers and so much more, the outpouring of love from our community was nothing short of a miracle throughout my mom's journey.
To our amazing family & friends who loved on us before, during and after my mom's fight as well as the beautiful people who became a part of our support system along the journey via Marist School, Hopewell Northeast church, PwC, Gravotech, Syracuse University, Northside Hospital, Cancer Treatment Center of America, Houston Methodist Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center - thank you for turning an unfortunate circumstance into a beautiful opportunity to turn strangers into friends and friends into family.
Each and every one of you played a part in caring for my mother when she was in need, and I am forever grateful for your kindness. Witnessing how your actions gave my mom the strength she needed to keep fighting is what truly inspired me to create this Chemo Divas community. I know many are not blessed with a support system as powerful as ours, but I pray that the Chemo Divas community can stand in the gap for those in need.
The Fight
A brief look at our 16-month cancer journey
2019
Aug
Paulette finds
a small lump
under her neck
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Oct
Paulette diagnosed
with HTLV assoc.
Stage II
Non-Hodgkin's
Lymphoma
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Nov
Paulette starts chemo therapy
2020
Jul
Paulette enrolls in a
CAR-T clinical trial
after chemo failed
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Early Aug
Chemo Divas
Instagram page
created
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Late Aug
Doctors confirm
"No Active Cancer"!​
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Nov
Paulette relapses
2021
Mar
Paulette received her ultimate healing
in heaven
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May
Organized
46 platelet donations
in honor of Paulette
Dec
Raised $1K during inaugural
5K Run/Walk
2022
Jun
Chemo Divas
Foundation Inc.
established
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Nov
Initiated the
Chemo Divas
Foundation Grant
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Dec
2nd Annual 5K
to be held!
"For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future".
Jeremiah 29:11