Major Takeaways:
Barbara Turknett Edwards turned personal tragedy into a mission for community health and cancer awareness.
Her nonprofit, the Rose M. Turknett Cancer Network, connects underserved patients to critical resources.
A triple negative breast cancer thriver, Barbara uses her story to inspire and empower others
Barbara Turknett Edwards: Turning Pain into Purpose in the Fight Against Cancer
Barbara Turknett Edwards is a woman of deep conviction and unstoppable faith. A mother of three grown sons and grandmother to three grandsons and one granddaughter, Barbara has spent decades doing what many would consider impossible fighting cancer not just for herself but for entire communities. Now in her seventies and still going strong, she stands as both a survivor and a servant leader, reminding everyone she meets that hope and healing are possible when people have access to knowledge and resources.
Barbara’s story began with heartbreak. In 2009, her youngest sister Rose M. Turknett lost her battle with breast cancer. The loss devastated Barbara, but it also lit a fire in her spirit that has never gone out. Determined to honor her sister’s legacy, she founded the Rose M. Turknett Cancer Network, a nonprofit organization committed to education, early detection, and community advocacy. Through the organization, Barbara connects patients to lifesaving resources and helps families navigate a healthcare system that can often feel overwhelming. Her work is especially focused on underserved communities where medical access and information are often lacking.
The network provides cancer awareness programs, connects individuals to screenings, and assists patients with locating financial and emotional support. For Barbara, it is personal. “While my sister was going through, I didn’t know a lot of resources,” she recalls. “And when I went through, I didn’t get a lot of help. Case managers and social workers are too busy or have too many clients; they don’t share the information with patients.” Her voice carries both compassion and conviction, the sound of someone who has lived the struggle and decided to change it for others.
Barbara’s own diagnosis came nearly thirteen years ago, just as she was turning fifty eight. The words triple negative breast cancer can shake anyone’s soul, but Barbara chose faith over fear. “My experience is not like your average cancer survivor,” she says. “It has been an awesome experience. So many things have been birthed out of it. Like I said, I have a nonprofit organization. What I do, I assist people going through cancer with resources.” That spirit of gratitude and purpose has carried her through every obstacle.
Instead of retreating into pain or fear, Barbara transformed her diagnosis into a platform. Her journey has been about action, empowerment, and service. She became the advocate she wished she had during her sister’s fight, creating a bridge between patients and the critical information they need to survive. Her message is simple: awareness saves lives, and access saves futures.
In communities across America, especially those that have historically been overlooked or underserved, cancer outcomes remain uneven. Barbara knows this truth too well. That is why her nonprofit is more than just a name, it is a movement grounded in faith, compassion, and a determination to break down barriers to care. The Rose M. Turknett Cancer Network continues to grow, powered by partnerships, volunteers, and Barbara’s relentless drive to make sure no one walks alone on their cancer journey.
Even after all she has endured, Barbara radiates optimism. She speaks about cancer not as a curse but as a calling. She calls herself a thriver, not just a survivor, and she means it. For her, thriving means living on purpose, serving others, and spreading hope to those who feel forgotten by the system.
Today, Barbara Turknett Edwards remains a respected voice in cancer awareness circles, a mentor to newly diagnosed patients, and a community advocate whose work continues to touch lives across the country. She proves every day that surviving is not enough; you have to live, give, and keep believing that something good can come out of even the darkest chapters.
For more information or to support Barbara’s mission, visit the Rose M. Turknett Cancer Network online at www.rmtcancernetwork.org, email rmtcancernetwork@gmail.com, or call 954 822 0847.
