Clara J. Walton, a woman of great courage and compassion, who, after overcoming and enduring a personal life changing impact of breast cancer in 1997, resolved in her heart to reach out to other women and the community affected by this invasive and devastating disease. From the day that she was passed this unsolicited banner, she has pledged her support to those facing cancer, treatment and recovery.
In 2000 she became a support group facilitator for Bosom Buddies of Georgia, Inc. Her passion for supporting cancer survivors across Georgia procured her to Regional Coordinator. As Regional Coordinator, Clara, who has a communications degree from the University of Detroit-Mercy, spoke to several prestigious organizations on behalf of Bosom Buddies. Clara Walton is recognized as a National Motivational Speaker, as well as a National spokesperson in the prevention and research of cancer.
Soon Clara’s reputation as a dynamic and informative speaker on cancer prevention, education and awareness began to spread throughout the health education community. In 2001 she became a member of the speaker’s bureaus of the American Cancer Society, the Breast Cancer Coalition of Georgia and Northside Hospital of Atlanta, Georgia. In the summer of 2002, she was invited to speak to various notable organizations, including the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine, the National Council of Negro Women and the Fulton County Human Services Department Office of Aging Division. She also coordinated a health fair for the Hopewell Baptist Church Health Ministry, Norcross, Georgia and the Nation of Christ First Annual Community Day, Atlanta, Georgia.
Clara’s passionate commitment to educating people about cancer is also known outside of the Georgia communities via the airwaves. She is a frequent guest on Atlanta Live TV57, and she has done radio interviews on the Frank Ski Morning Show on 103.3FM, Sasha the Diva Show on KISS 104.1FM and Unwrap with Christopher Askew Show on Talk Radio 1380AM. Lifetime Television as recipient of the Hero Award, Wellness Community leader, Georgia Board of Education, The Governors Office State of Georgia, Morehouse School of Medicine, Emory University Winship Cancer Center, Clark of Atlanta School of Medicine, Cancer Survivors Leadership Council of Georgia, and Grady Health System has recognized Clara.
Clara knew that the culmination of her career would quickly come after numerous opportunities to share her message of compassion and support for all cancer patients. So, in the fall of 2002, she was one of 15 Americans and the only African American Female selected to participate in the U.S. Department of the Army’s Cancer Research Program scientific peer review cell biology panel sponsored by the Department of Defense, and now on her third term with the program. She was also appointed to President of the Sisters Network Atlanta Chapter in 2002, a national organization that helps to increase breast cancer awareness with the African American community.
Most recently she was unanimously voted as the Vice President of The Morehouse School of Medicine and selected to participate in a national training program to become a representative of the community as a Junior Cancer Research Investigator for National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer II, affiliated with the Morehouse School of Medicine. Clara was selected to a panel for the Concept Award Research Program for the Department of Defense. These appointments have placed Clara Walton in the category of other long-time forerunners for cancer prevention and awareness. All of these life-impacting things have lead to the empowerment to form the Clara Walton Foundation, Inc. even after the recent lost of her husband Clifford Walton. Clara’s mission is to “join humanity in bearing the mantle of compassion for cancer survivors and to unearth the cure to eradicate cancer through education, research and awareness universally.”
Clara Walton suffered a devastating set-back in January 2005, when she was diagnosed with a reoccurrence of cancer stage 4, and bone metastasis! On June 29th, 2006 God called his beloved angel to come home! A woman of great courage, strength, and love, she will forever be loved and remembered! Man may have given up on Clara Walton the physical being, but God has anointed Clara Walton as an inspirational, empowering, righteous, and strong angel of God marching on through her family and the Clara Walton Foundation which started in February 2004. On August 26th, 2006 less than two months after her home going and two days before what would have been her 55th birthday, Clara Walton was recognized and honored by the state of Georgia to receive the Georgia Citizenship Award; accepted on her behalf by her son Alan C. McKelton, and co-founder of the Clara Walton Foundation. The Clara Walton Foundation will continue to spread its mercy and grace through motivation, education, experience, financial support and love for humanity for years to come!
Sincerely
Alan C. McKelton
CEO/President
Clara J. Walton
Founder of the Clara Walton Foundation, Inc.
cwfrose@clarawaltonfoundation.net