Lavar Jacobs lost his mother, Kim, to breast cancer in 2009. She was only 49. Through his mother’s journey battling the disease, Jacobs became acutely cognizant of the lack of awareness and resources available to women and families.
After his mother’s passing, Jacobs became involved in cancer-related fundraisers and events but was concerned that attention was often limited to the month of October. Although Black women have a lower incidence rate of breast cancer compared to white women, they are 41% more likely to die from the disease. Jacobs found himself compelled to raise awareness year round and founded his own nonprofit, Not Just October, in 2014.
Jacob’s vision is to change the way communities think and talk about breast cancer, stressing the importance of both regular health screenings and self tests.
The organization’s Awareness Mobile is hard to miss as it travels throughout the Akron area. The vehicle is wrapped in bold pink colors to remind women to self test and schedule mammograms.
Not Just October is dedicated to not only increasing awareness around breast cancer and its effects on families, but also to help breast cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones lead more comfortable lives.
The organization offers several free services including massages, therapy, facials, makeup, and wig fittings. As everyday tasks can take a toll when battling breast cancer, Not Just October also offers free lawn mowing and snow removal to help alleviate this burden.
After several successful years, Jacobs wanted his mother’s legacy to be more than her online obituary. So, Jacobs opened the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center (KJBCRC) in 2021 in the Kenmore neighborhood of Akron. It is Ohio’s first Black-owned breast cancer center. Now his mother’s name is synonymous with breast cancer awareness and aid for women battling this terrible disease.
Food and nutritional assistance is also available through a partnership with Mustard Seed Market and KJBCRCs own food pantry located inside the center.
For his continued efforts, Jacobs was recently invited to serve on the Summa Health Cancer Institute Leadership Council, which advances the Summa Health Cancer Institute.
Not Just October and KJBCRC continue to grow, spreading the word that breast cancer is an issue worthy of attention year around. Jacobs hopes to open additional breast cancer centers in Georgia and North Carolina, where Jacobs has many supporters and family.
In addition to monetary donations, Not Just October accepts unexpired, nonperishable foods and new hygiene products like shampoos and soaps, which can be dropped off at the center.
For more information, visit www.notjustoctober.org.
