A Conversation with Yvonne Leake, Head RN at the Neighborhood Christian Clinic
Every October, the nation shines a light on breast cancer awareness—reminding us of the importance of early detection, celebrating survivors, and honoring those we’ve lost. At the Neighborhood Christian Clinic, this mission is deeply personal.
Our Head RN, Yvonne Leake, knows the journey firsthand. Diagnosed in 2022 with an aggressive form of breast cancer, she faced shock, fear, and treatment during the tail end of the pandemic. Yet through it all, Yvonne’s story is one of faith, community, and the unshakable peace of God. Today, she is cancer-free and more determined than ever to help women get the care and screenings they need.
Yvonne’s Story: “God Knows This—It’s No Surprise to Him”
Q: When did you first learn of your diagnosis, and what were those early days like?
“I was a month behind on my yearly mammogram, so I just went for my regular screening. The radiologist was really sweet… he looked at it and said, ‘I think we’re going to have to biopsy a couple of places.’ I thought, what? We have no breast cancer in my family… so I was just a little bit shocked.”
“He even did the biopsy on his lunch hour because he was about to go on vacation for two weeks. He didn’t want me to have to wait, which was so kind, but it also made me think, this must be serious.”
“When the results came back, it was a tumor, and it had already spread to my lymph nodes. It was very aggressive. Dealing with that news was a whirlwind… like, what is going on here?”
Q: What was the hardest part, and how did you find strength?
“The hardest part was coming to grips with the reality: this is really what’s going on. You think this kind of thing happens to other people… but not to you.”
“I have an amazing set of girlfriends, six couples we’re close with, and those ladies just swarmed me. They drove me to my appointments, they brought meals, we even went wig shopping together. I would get daily Scriptures from them. And of course, my husband Greg was so supportive. We’re both proactive. As soon as we got home, I was on the phone setting up scans and tests. I wasn’t going to just sit and wait.”
Q: How did your faith meet you in that season?
“I was completely aware that I wasn’t alone. I never felt mad at God. I always felt this supernatural peace. And I kept thinking, how does somebody walk through this without Him?”
“The verse that stayed with me was, ‘Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.’ Being in His presence, even for one day, is better than anything else. When you’re walking through hard things, that gives you hope.”
“One of the things I did was cover my bathroom mirror with laminated Scripture verses. It was hard to see myself during that time, so instead of just looking at my reflection, I could see God’s promises. It gave me strength every day.”
Q: You kept working through treatment—what did the Clinic mean to you then?
“This place was my saving grace. They were so kind to let me keep working, even when I didn’t have much energy. I did more administrative things, phone calls, computer work. Being here gave me purpose. And the staff and patients didn’t look at me with pity—they treated me normally, which was such a gift.”
Q: How has that experience shaped your work with women today?
“I am so passionate about women’s health and making sure our patients have the opportunities to get their screenings done. We coordinate care with organizations like Check for a Lump and Christie’s Climbers to provide free mammograms, diagnostics, and even biopsies.”
“When patients receive a cancer diagnosis, I often go in after the provider and say, I know this walk. I’ve done this. You can get through this. Nobody ever wants to be part of the “Cancer club”, but I’m glad I can be an encouragement.”
Q: What hope do you share with patients in those first moments?
“The biggest thing I want patients to know is that God knows this. This is not a surprise to Him. He knows where He has you, and He knows how He’s going to walk you through it. Do the best you can to trust the process.”
Q: What would you say to donors considering a gift to the Clinic?
“This place is huge to me. When you give to the Clinic, your gift is life-saving. Your donations truly get used in the best way possible. We are good stewards of every dollar, and it makes a real difference in people’s lives.”
This October, Yvonne’s story reminds us: early detection saves lives, faith gives peace, and community carries us through. At the Neighborhood Christian Clinic, your support helps ensure women receive critical screenings and the compassionate care they need most.