For April Smith, surviving breast cancer did more than change her life. It reshaped her purpose.
Today, she is the founder of The Wellness Nest and The Survivors Nest, two organizations dedicated to supporting women navigating cancer treatment, survivorship, and the emotional and financial realities that come with the disease. Through these initiatives, Smith has created a community centered on compassion, wellness, and practical support for women and their families. She and her husband’s Jerald’s journey and the incredible work their organization is doing is amazing.
One of the organization’s most impactful efforts includes delivering wellness boxes to women who are currently undergoing cancer treatment or are living as survivors. The Survivors Nest also provides ongoing grants in the form of $300 Sprouts gift cards for women facing financial hardship due to medical expenses and interrupted employment during their cancer journey.
For many families, a cancer diagnosis can disrupt every aspect of daily life. Medical bills, missed work, and the emotional toll of treatment can quickly create overwhelming pressure. Smith understands this reality firsthand.
Her mission to help others began with her own diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. During that difficult season, she learned how deeply illness affects not just the patient, but the entire family system.
What she experienced during that time revealed a truth many families quietly endure.
Two days after Smith underwent a double mastectomy, her husband Jerald suffered a stress related stroke. He had spent months pouring his energy into caring for her. Managing appointments, medications, and emotional support became his primary focus. In the process, he neglected his own health.
Smith describes him as her greatest cheerleader during her cancer battle. His love and commitment helped carry her through one of the most challenging periods of her life. But at the time, neither of them fully understood the physical risks that can come with caregiving when self care is ignored.
That moment transformed how Smith defines health and healing.
With both of them suddenly facing critical health challenges at the same time, the experience reshaped their marriage and deepened their understanding of what true support looks like. It also laid the foundation for the philosophy behind The Survivors Nest.
Smith often shares a simple but powerful message that guides the organization’s work: we are stronger together.
Through that lens, she advocates for a more inclusive approach to healing. In her view, every cancer care plan should acknowledge and support caregivers, not just patients.
Stress does not only affect emotions. It manifests physically in the body, sometimes with devastating consequences. Smith believes caregivers need the same level of support, care, and attention that survivors receive.
That philosophy is reflected in how The Survivors Nest operates.
The organization takes a holistic approach to healing by offering support for both survivors and the loved ones who stand beside them. Their programs focus on uplifting women through encouragement, wellness resources, and peer support that helps rebuild confidence and emotional strength after treatment.
Community plays a major role in recovery. Smith believes connection can help survivors rediscover joy, rebuild their lives, and move forward with renewed purpose.
At the same time, caregivers are intentionally recognized and supported through resources that prioritize their mental and emotional well being. From moments of relaxation to educational programming, the goal is to help caregivers sustain their strength while supporting their loved ones.
Smith’s inspiration to launch both The Survivors Nest and The Wellness Nest came from the gaps she observed during her own cancer treatment.
While her medical team provided excellent care in treating the cancer itself, she noticed that very little attention was given to supporting the whole person. Emotional health, nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, and long term wellness were not central parts of the process.
When Smith was first diagnosed, she initially attempted to approach her healing holistically. Driven by faith and determination, she began researching natural wellness practices and lifestyle changes that could support her health.
The day she received her diagnosis, she went straight to Whole Foods, opened a book on holistic cancer healing, and began purchasing herbs and spices recommended for wellness support. Though she was afraid, she also felt a deep sense of empowerment. She was determined that cancer would not define the outcome of her life.
Eventually, Smith moved forward with traditional medical treatment. Her journey included seventeen rounds of chemotherapy, thirty days of radiation, hormone therapy, and a double mastectomy.
Today, she stands fourteen years cancer free.
That experience gave birth to The Survivors Nest.
At the time of her diagnosis, Smith was just thirty four years old. She was also a young mother and grandmother, with many people depending on her strength and presence.
She was not only fighting for her own life. She was fighting for the people she loved.
Through The Survivors Nest, Smith now helps other women navigate that same battle with resources that address both practical needs and emotional healing. The organization provides curated wellness boxes, healthy food and supplement grants, spa days for caregivers, and educational wellness events designed to empower communities with knowledge and support.
Her sister organization, The Wellness Nest, expands that mission even further by creating curated wellness experiences and a supportive sisterhood that encourages women to embrace healthier lifestyles.
Another important part of Smith’s advocacy is raising awareness about the connection between cancer and heart health.
Many people do not realize that cancer survivors often face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. In some cases, the risk can even exceed the likelihood of cancer returning.
Heart disease also remains the number one cause of death among women.
These realities inspired Smith to launch the Heart of the Matter Solidarity Walk, an event designed to raise awareness about both heart health and cancer survivorship.
The cause is deeply personal. In addition to her own cancer journey, Smith lost her grandmother to heart disease, and her husband is now a two time stroke survivor.
The annual walk serves as a space for education, remembrance, and community support. Participants gather to honor survivors, remember loved ones lost to illness, and engage in conversations about prevention, lifestyle changes, and long term wellness.
For Smith, caring for the heart extends beyond physical health. It includes emotional well being, community connection, and the strength that comes from supporting one another.
For women currently facing a cancer diagnosis or navigating life after treatment, Smith hopes her story serves as both encouragement and reassurance.
She wants survivors to understand that a diagnosis does not mean the end of their story.
Instead, it can become the beginning of a new chapter.
Smith believes that healing is not just about surviving treatment. It is about learning how to live fully again. Through the work of The Survivors Nest and The Wellness Nest, she continues to build a community where women are empowered to reclaim their strength, prioritize their wellness, and rediscover joy in life.
Her message to survivors is simple but powerful.
You have the power to take your power back.
And through hope, support, and sisterhood, no woman has to walk the journey alone.
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