Article:
Serena Williams continues to be a fearless advocate for women’s health—this time, reigniting the conversation around breast cancer awareness with a timely and powerful reminder. On May 22, she took to social media platform X to share a message that hit home: *“It’s not breast cancer awareness month but don’t forget to get your mammogram. I’m getting mine today.”*
This wasn’t just another tweet—it was a call to action. In the U.S. alone, breast cancer claimed the lives of 42,250 women in 2024, with over 310,000 new cases diagnosed. Serena, who nearly lost her life to health complications after childbirth in 2017, has been a vocal champion for early detection ever since.
From Survivor to Advocate
Her advocacy journey began in 2018 when she stepped far outside her comfort zone to release a music video cover of “I Touch Myself” by Divinyls. The goal? To encourage women to be proactive about breast health and self-examination. The campaign paid tribute to the band’s late lead singer, Chrissy Amphlett, who died of breast cancer at 53.
Seven years later, Serena’s message remains firm: early detection saves lives. Whether through a mammogram or self-check, she urges women not to wait until October to take action.
Walking the Talk Beyond Tennis
Serena’s activism isn’t limited to health. Through the Serena Williams Foundation, she’s funded education for girls in underserved communities, including opening a secondary school in Kenya and providing college scholarships in the U.S. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, she rallied resources to support victims.
In 2014, she launched Serena Ventures, an investment fund focused on women-led and minority-founded businesses. Over 76% of the startups backed by her firm come from underrepresented groups—a testament to her belief that “women are the future leaders of society.”
Refusing to Back Down
Even after her retirement from tennis in 2022, Serena has remained outspoken. After being told to focus solely on tennis during her competitive years, she famously replied, *“The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I’m in my grave.”*
Today, her fight continues in a different arena—public health. As breast cancer remains the most common cancer among American women, Serena’s voice is more vital than ever. Her simple but urgent message echoes loud and clear: don’t wait for awareness month to protect your life.