About Lula
Lula’s Legacy of Love Foundation is a heartfelt tribute to the enduring memory of Mrs. Valerie Marie McCalister (Brown), a woman deeply cherished by all who knew her. Lovingly called Lula by her daughter and Tubby or Auntie by many, Valerie touched countless lives with her warmth, faith, and devotion to others.
Truly a chosen child of God, Lula let her unwavering faith illuminate her daily life and teachings. Throughout her lifetime, she cared for others both personally and professionally. In September 2022, she was diagnosed with stage 3C inflammatory breast cancer. For the last 10 months of her life, Lula faced her illness quietly and with grace. Her husband, David, faithfully honored her wish to keep her battle private and served as her primary caregiver until her final days.
While time may gradually soften the pain of grief, the love we feel for her remains unwavering. Lula taught us the art of living a life steeped in love, a love that continues to touch hearts and inspire us all. To carry that love forward, her daughter, Merita McCalister, DrPH, LMSW, a dedicated advocate for health equity, founded this organization in her honor so that Lula’s legacy of love will live on.
Our Approach
We take a holistic, community-centered approach to supporting minority women diagnosed with breast cancer. Through education, advocacy, financial assistance, patient navigation, and access to vital resources, we help women overcome barriers that often contribute to disparities in healthcare outcomes.
We work alongside patients and their families to provide support throughout their cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship. By fostering partnerships with healthcare providers, community organizations, and advocates, we strive to ensure every woman has access to quality care, culturally responsive support, and the resources needed to thrive.
Our commitment is to empower women, strengthen families, and create pathways to equitable healthcare so that every woman has the opportunity to live beyond her diagnosis and achieve the best possible outcomes.
