THE SPIRIT IN YOU
Dr. Tunishai Ford almost lost the will to live after she was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1998. But after undergoing months of treatment and becoming cancer-free later that year, theway Ford viewed the world changed.
It was this new perspective that inspired Ford to establish Your Own Uniqueness, , Inc., a non-profit organization committed to enhancing metro Detroit's urban communities by providing hope, healing and support by sharing faith-based principles and alternative life skills.
Now, Ford's dedication to help women and girls reach their full potential by overcoming barriers that hinder them from reaching their full potential is being celebrated. Throughout Women's History Month, the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers and Comerica Bank will recognize four trailblazing women who are supporting a positive future for children in the community as part of the Game Changers series.
Dr. Tunishai Ford posing with three other honorees at the Game Changers Award Event.
Dr. Tunishai Ford in the middle with Chris and Lisa Ilitch, Comerica Bank Representatives and three other honorees
"As we embark on celebrating Women's History Month across our organization, we're thrilled to once again honor incredible women making life-changing impacts on the lives of children in our community through the Game Changers series," said Kevin Brown, director of community impact for Illitch Sports + Entertainment. "We're proud to kick off the month by honoring Tunishai, who has dedicated her life to empowering and transforming the lives young girls and women across metro Detroit."
At first, Your Own Uniqueness, Inc., almost didn't happen. While undergoing intensive chemotherapy treatments, Ford "wanted to give up."
"I was in so much pain," Ford said. "Not only physically, but psychologically and emotionally because I felt a lot of people had turned their backs on me. I felt I didn't receive the support I should have gotten."
Ford considers herself to be a very spiritual person. So she leaned on her faith to guide her through the hard process of treatment. "I believe God spoke to me through my spirit and said to me, "This is a Comma in Your Life NOT a Period,'" Ford