Photo courtesy of kimjacobsbreastcenter/ Instagram.
Lavar Jacobs honored his late mother by opening the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center on May 1. The breast cancer center is Ohio’s first Black-owned breast cancer center and is located in Akron.
Jacobs opened the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center as a way to honor his mother, who passed away from breast cancer in 2009. She was just 49-years-old. He also founded
‘Not Just October,‘ an organization that provides resources year-round for breast cancer patients.The entrepreneur said that he witnessed his mother struggle with everyday things while she had cancer, which inspired him to help others going through the struggle.
“It’s a place where women who are battling breast cancer can come get wigs, massages, therapy, help with their finances, help with insurance, the kids have a room where they can hang out while she’s receiving services,” said Jacobs. “Then outdoors, we do lawn care, snow removal, home cleaning, carpet cleaning … pretty much anything a woman would need that’s battling breast cancer.”
Jacobs said that he wanted to change how the community talks and thinks about breast cancer. He also wanted to stress the importance of regular health screenings.
“I’ve always had the vision of the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center,” Jacobs said to WYKC. “She didn’t get to do everything she had planned. She deserves more of a legacy.”
Jacobs posted on Instagram to announce the grand opening of the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center.
“Can’t wait for everyone to see my vision for the community & my way of honoring my Mom,” he said. “Thanks in advance to everyone who attends, purchases merchandise, donates, and Prays for the success of this center! You are appreciated!”
“She was my best friend,” said Jacobs. “If you knew me while my mom was still living, you knew how close me and my mom were. I know she’s looking down right now like, ‘That’s my baby. Look what my son’s doing. There he is.'”
Jacobs keeps his mother’s urn at the entrance of the center along with pictures of women who have lost their battle with the disease to honor their memory.