NORFOLK, Va. — Vanessa Hill’s heart broke when she lost her 87-year-old grandmother to endometrial cancer in 2010.
“I have an irreparable damage in my heart where my grandmother was,” said Hill during a conversation with me in 2022. “I don't want anyone to feel that.”
Hill’s heartbreak inspired her to create Project Nana, a nonprofit that educates post-menopausal women about often dismissed sign of cancer, especially gynecologic cancer.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average age of diagnosis for most gynecologic cancers is over the age of 60. A telltale sign of trouble, according to doctors, is bleeding after menopause, which is why doctors affiliated with Project Nana say post-menopausal women should be seen by a gynecologist or have a routine pelvic exam by their primary care physician about every two years.
“If you educate a nana, you educate a family, you educate a community,” Hill said during the Project Nana “Seasoned Women’s Health Summit” earlier this month.
During the three-day summit, Hill introduced the “Gwen Ifill Seasoned Women's Champion Award” during an awards breakfast. Ifill, a legendary journalist, died of endometrial cancer in 2016. Her brother, Dr. Roberto Ifill, joined Hill at the event to honor his sister’s legacy and present the inaugural award named for her to AARP’s CEO Jo Ann Jenkins.
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“This warms my heart,” Dr. Ifill said.
Hill thought that was the only award being given during the summit, but I had a surprise for her. While I was emceeing the award’s breakfast, I waited for the perfect opportunity to surprise Hill with a News 3 Everyday Hero award.
I took her by the hand, and walked her to the middle of a crowded room of ‘seasoned' women and health advocated.
“I want you to see all of the lives that you have touched,” I said. “Vanessa, you are a hero in our community and our world. Because of you people know seasoned women matter. We love you, and at News 3, we are celebrating you as an Everyday Hero!”
Hill was stunned by the announcement and applause.
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“I'm just very, very grateful that With God's grace, that we're able to continue to go forth,” said Hill. “Everyone that's here really understands the importance of this advocacy.”
Gwen Ifill’s brother joined in the celebration.
“I think Gwen would have found a kindred spirit in Vanessa’,” he said.
I also presented Hill with a $300 gift card from our community partner Southern Bank. Hill immediately pledged to use it to help the ‘nanas’ served by Project Nana.
If you know someone like Hill who is going above and beyond to serve others in our community, please nominate them for a News 3 Everyday Hero award.
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