The city of Albany is recognizing this week as Minority Cancer Awareness Week.

It's a step towards ending the disparities in cancer education and treatment for many minority groups.

For LaSone Garland-Bryan, the last decade has taken a toll on her medically.

“I was first diagnosed in 2003 breast cancer, I am now stage 4,” Garland-Bryan said. “I’m actually now in hospice care.”

Garland-Bryan’s family has a history of cancer, with her sister being diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma.

The two sisters quickly realized how limited cancer resources were for minority groups, and with the help of two other women, they formed the women of color cancer support group.

“We wanted to form a group because of the health disparities and because of how we have been treated and how doctors were talking at us but not to us,” Garland-Bryan said.

The group was able to make access to medicine and supplies much easier for women, and connected them with the care and support they needed.

“Sometimes people have stereotypes, and we have to get rid of some of the stereotypes that people have,” Garland-Bryan said.

Along with providing resources, the group is helping spread awareness through events like their panel discussion on Saturday.

Attendees of the discussion say it’s all about making their voices heard.

“Like they say, sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Sometimes that’s what you have to do,” Beverly Edwards, an attendee, said. “You have to speak out and say, we want this and we want that, and hopefully it will come to fruition.”

Saturday's panel brought a crowd of advocates and current cancer patients.

For Margo Davis who currently battles cancer, she says LaSone’s passion for change is inspiring.

“When I see her, I can do it too,” Davis said. “What she can’t do I can do, and she’s a very strong woman. She’s been through a lot.”

Davis says more education, especially in diverse communities, could make a major difference going forward.

“People do need to be aware of their disease. Because like myself, I was very naïve to it,” Davis said. “I’m getting there, I have LaSone who taught me a lot. And for someone who don’t know, or been through the situation is tough.”