Shay's Warriors receives $1,000 grant from Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month — as the Giving section returns — we also welcome back our Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation Power of Community $1,000 grant, thanks to the generosity of our wonderful benefactor Jordan Schnitzer, in partnership with the Desert Sun and KESQ/Desert Chat.

We wanted to award this grant to a nonprofit that goes above and beyond in helping those fighting the good fight in this month dedicated to honoring breast cancer awareness. We chose Shay’s Warriors, founded by the very fierce and passionate breast cancer “thriver” Shay Moraga.

Moraga is a force of nature. A survivor. Indeed, a thriver. She is an inspiration to everyone who meets her. Our valley is fortunate to have such a positive and inspirational cheerleader for those navigating the frightening and unknown world and challenges of life before — and perhaps, most importantly, after — cancer because the fight continues long after chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments stop.

Moraga was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2016. As a young mother, she knew she had a tough fight ahead of her but she was determined to take it on and beat the “Big C,” and she was determined to help others in their battles as they continued their cancer journeys.

Moraga explains: “Who you were before cancer no longer exists, and many women find themselves asking: ‘How do I move on? Will the cancer come back? Who am I now?’”

In response to these profound questions, she created her nonprofit Shay’s Warriors, an amazing and large support group of cancer survivors committed to helping each other tackle their cancer journeys as they enter and re-enter life after diagnosis and treatments.

She has created many programs, including a virtual support group called Talk, Listen, Share, which she says is “an educational series for things we can control as life moves forward.” She also has a Coffee and Connection opportunity to continue the conversations. Often times, they add hikes, yoga and other wellness practices, and all of these programs are free, including her annual immersive retreat program called I Am Hope, which took place here in the valley this past summer. Twenty-five cancer survivors were able to attend at no cost, thanks to her nonprofit’s fundraising efforts.

“The I Am Hope Survivors Reset Retreat is a three-day, two-night experience for women,” Moraga says. “This past year’s retreat focused on breast and other reproductive cancer survivors. We wanted to help survivors get clear on life after cancer and how to move forward.”

Moraga knows all too well that the cancer journey continues, and it's her mission to help others stay strong.

“Cancer never truly leaves you. Physically, yes. Emotionally, never. Your body acts differently now,” she says. “There’s often guilt, fear, loneliness and an overwhelming sense of ‘what in the actual hell did I just go through?’”

It's a struggle she shares, and she is therefore dedicated to help support others. It’s for this extraordinary outreach in our community that we award our Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation Power of Community $1,000 grant to Shay’s Warriors so it can continue its mission to help our valley cancer warriors fight their fight.

Yes. Cancer changes everything. But not being alone — having loving and caring support as the journey begins and continues — does change the fight.

Congratulations to Moraga on being the first recipient of this season’s Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation Power of Community grant. We are so grateful for all you do for our community and beyond, and we are thrilled to help you continue your quest to support those fighting the good fight.

Sandie Newton is an award-winning broadcast journalist who began her career in Los Angeles as cohost of the nationally syndicated show "PM Magazine." She went on to host many local and national shows like "Hollywood Insider" before becoming one of the original anchors for E! and a regular on Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family." In 2017, she moved to the desert, creating and hosting NBCares for six years. She is currently the host of "Desert Chat," a half-hour lifestyle show spotlighting all the good people, events and news in the Coachella Valley. Watch it Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on KESQ, at 10:30 p.m. on FOX 11 and noon Mondays on CW5.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Shay's Warriors receives grant from Schnitzer Family Foundation