I will be continuing my series next week, but I wanted to take today to share with you what happens when you are on the path of becoming a dignity warrior. Dr. Donna Hicks, PhD in her book “Leading with Dignity” writes about the three connections of dignity.
- Connecting to the dignity of yourself
- Connecting to the dignity of others
- Connecting to the dignity of something higher
When you are on this lifelong journey, something begins to happen. How you think changes, how you approach your life changes, and the desire to want to change lives grows inside you. I know this from my own experience. It took me a long time to get there, but today I am continuing to honor dignity by helping others while they are on their journey. This story isn’t about me. It is about a nineteen-year-old young man who decided that he wanted to make an impact on the lives of others. He took his gift of breaking, his heart for wanting to help others, and his connection to the dignity of others to create his own nonprofit called “Breaking for Cancer Foundation.”
When I was nineteen, I wasn’t thinking about others. I thought about myself. I went through the me, myself and I years until I turned twenty-six but that’s a story for another time. My three children are better than I was when I was their age and I am blessed. Today I want to write about the founder of the Breaking for Cancer Foundation Anthony Redd, the son of Erin and Charles Redd, and the brother of Cassandra and Dakota.
Anthony is currently in his first year at Curry College in Milton, MA. He wants to be a special education teacher. When most students are trying to find their way through the challenges of college life, Anthony decided he wanted to take his breaking skills and use it to help people with cancer. He did all the work and started his own nonprofit. Anthony has always been someone who looked out for others. It is something his family is so proud of him for, but I want you to get to know Anthony through his own words, and you will see a true dignity champion.
“In every community, there are moments when music, movement, and purpose collide. Breaking for Cancer started with one simple idea: use the power of dance to lift up families fighting the hardest battles of their lives.
It began with a single dancer who wanted to do more than just perform — he wanted to help. After seeing friends, family, and neighbors struggle through the emotional and financial weight of cancer, he realized that his passion for breaking could be more than a form of expression. It could be a force for hope.
So, Breaking for Cancer was born — a movement where dancers, students, and supporters come together to show that even small actions can make a big difference. Every spin, freeze, and beat carries a message: you are not fighting alone.
We dance to honor survivors.
We dance to lift up those still fighting.
We dance in memory of the loved ones we’ve lost.
Thank you for helping us turn hope into action.
Together, we break for something bigger.”, Anthony Redd CEO
He is only nineteen and I want Anthony to know that all those who are here with you today and those who have passed on are proud of the person you have become. I hope for continued success in everything that you strive for as you continue to grow as a dignity warrior and future teacher.
Whatever happens tomorrow, know that you are already successful because you are doing the work to make a difference.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 