Sherri Arnold Graham

NAME: Sherri Arnold Graham

AGE: 44

HOMETOWN: "The Steel City of Clairton, Pa." We have lived in Fayetteville since 1996.

FAMILY: My husband is Dr. Ernesto J.F. Graham (ob/gyn). We have two children, Faith Sheree and Ernesto II ("Tito"). I have one sister, Deardra Arnold, of Fayetteville.

OCCUPATION: Itinerant Evangelist, Associate Minister at First Baptist Church, Raleigh. Research Assistant to the Rev. Dr. Gardner C. Taylor (Pastor Emeritus, The Concord Church of Christ, Brooklyn, New York).

COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES: President of The Sherri Arnold Graham Foundation (A Ministry for Breast Cancer Awareness and Support). Part of the foundation's mission is Mammography Outreach, which includes a "mammography coach" that travels to different locations, so women age 35 and over with or without insurance coverage may get mammograms. Our approach to outreach involves collaborative health education and relaxation with free paraffin dips, hand massages and chair massages. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36 and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. I have been cancer-free for seven years ... and I felt called by God to begin the foundation's work to raise awareness, hope and support. We have been blessed to form genuine partnerships with Friends of The Cancer Center, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Cumberland County Health Department, Rex Hospital in Raleigh, and a host of churches, health practitioners, and businesses. Also: Friends of The Cancer Center, Advisory Board Member; Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Board Member; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; Cumberland County Ministerial Council Inc.; Fayetteville Academy Parent Volunteer; and Fayetteville Cares.

MORE ON PASSIONS: Family travel, evangelism, research and writing, building bridges between community needs and corporate resources.

WHERE I'D LIKE TO BE IN FIVE YEARS: I hope to be a published author in possession of my Doctorate of Ministry Degree, guest lecturing in both theology schools and medical schools, such as Duke, Johns Hopkins, and my alma mater, Emory University!

THE BEST PART ABOUT MY JOB OR JOBS IS: That, regardless of-the human crisis or diagnosis, I am blessed to bring a prognosis from "The Gospel: The Good News." Furthermore, by serving others, I make the best investments on earth and my retirement plan is out of this world!