Life is immediately altered seconds after hearing the words “you have cancer.” Ann Williams, a cancer survivor and the founder of the Push Collection, Inc., is keenly aware of the challenges individuals and families face on their cancer journey, which gave birth to an impactful organization providing support and resources to keep pushing forward.
SDM- “Built from battle. Driven from purpose.” Every impactful non-profit has a defining origin story. Take us back to the beginning: What was the ‘battle’ or turning point that inspired the Push Collection, Inc.?
Ann Williams- PUSH was truly built from my own battle. In 2015, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and that experience changed my life. I learned firsthand what it feels like to hear the word cancer and suddenly have your entire world change.But I also learned that surviving cancer is about more than medical treatment. You still have a family, bills, responsibilities, fear and everyday life happening around you. During my journey, I realized that so many people are fighting battles that others cannot see.
I decided that if I made it through my battle, I wanted to turn my pain into purpose. That is where PUSH was born. PUSH stands for Persevering, Uplifting, Surviving and Healing. It represents what I had to do during my own journey, and what I want every person facing cancer or another difficult battle to remember: keep pushing.
SDM- The Push Collection, Inc. unites fashion with a vital mission to give hope. Why is the Push Collection more than a fashion brand?
Ann Williams- Push Collection is more than clothing and shoes because every product has a purpose behind it. When someone wears PUSH, I want them to feel like they are wearing a message of strength. Our collections represent different causes and different battles, but the message remains the same: you are not fighting alone.
We are building a brand where fashion creates conversations, raises awareness and ultimately helps us give back to people who need support. PUSH is fashion with a heartbeat. We want someone to put on a PUSH shoe, jacket or shirt and know that they are part of something much bigger than a product.
SDM– October marks breast cancer awareness month and Push Collection, Inc. will present the highly anticipated Breast Cancer Awareness Launch Fashion Show & Survivor Celebration on October 17, 2026. This sounds like an unforgettable experience! What can attendees expect, who is it designed for and how can readers secure their spot?
Ann Williams– October 17th is going to be very special. The Pink PUSH Experience is our Breast Cancer Awareness celebration and fundraiser created to honor survivors, remember the loved ones we have lost, and support people who are still fighting.
Guests can expect an uplifting afternoon filled with brunch, powerful survivor stories, a community, awareness, special guests, fundraising and the introduction of our Breast Cancer Awareness Collection. But this experience isn’t only for survivors. It’s for families, caregivers, supporters, businesses and anyone whose life has been touched by cancer.
Most importantly, we want people to leave feeling encouraged and knowing that their attendance is helping PUSH continue supporting cancer patients and families. Readers can reserve their spot through The Pink PUSH Experience Eventbrite page, and we encourage the Dallas community to come out, wear pink and PUSH with us.
SDM– You launched your non-profit, Push for Care Cancer, Inc., to support patients and survivors, which is connected to the broader PUSH mission. What are the community programs and services are provided?
Ann Williams– Push for Cancer was created because cancer doesn’t stop at the hospital door. A person can be receiving treatment while also worrying about rent, medication, transportation, keeping their home together or simply completing everyday responsibilities.
Our mission is to help fill some of those gaps. We provide and connect cancer patients and families with resources that can include rent assistance, medication assistance, household and cleaning assistance, errand support and other essential resources, based on need and available funding. We may not be able to take away someone’s diagnosis, but we can help make the journey a little less overwhelming. Our goal is simple: no one should have to fight cancer alone.
SDM– How does a patient or survivor register to receive your services?
Ann Williams– We want the process to be simple and compassionate. Cancer patients, survivors and families needing assistance can visit http://PushForCancer.org and submit an assistance request through our website.
The request allows us to understand what the individual or family is going through and what type of assistance they need. Our team can then review the request and determine what support or resources may be available.
As we grow our donations, sponsorships and community partnerships, our goal is to help more families throughout Dallas and eventually communities across the country. Every donation, every partnership and every person who shares our mission helps us reach another family.
SDM– How can individuals or organizations partner with PUSH to become a Champion of Hope? What are the partnership opportunities?
Ann Williams- There are so many ways to become a Champion of Hope with PUSH. Individuals, businesses, churches, healthcare organizations and corporations can partner with us through sponsorships, donations, fundraising campaigns, volunteering, community events and in-kind support.
One of our biggest goals is to build partnerships that help us provide real, everyday assistance to individuals and families affected by cancer. Cancer doesn’t just affect a person’s health—it can affect their income, housing, transportation and ability to take care of their family. Through PUSH, we want to help bridge those gaps.
Partners can sponsor a family, support one of our programs or events, provide products or professional services, or collaborate with us on awareness campaigns. We also welcome companies that want to create long-term partnerships with PUSH.
SDM– Would you be willing to share any testimonials from program participants?
Ann Williams– What stays with me most are the people who are fighting cancer while still trying to hold their families together. Sometimes helping one person may seem small, but when you’re the person who doesn’t know how you’re going to make it through tomorrow, that support can mean everything.
Amy
“Ann has helped me so much throughout my cancer journey. To have a Black woman who understands this experience personally and was willing to help me—even out of her own pocket—has been such a blessing. She has been nothing short of a God-sent angel in my life. I truly don’t know what I would have done without her help, encouragement, and support. Thank you, Ann, and thank you PUSH for Cancer.”
The Bre Family
“Ann is an amazing woman. During one of the hardest times for our family, she stepped in and helped us with our rent and even helped us with car payments so we wouldn’t lose our vehicle. That support meant more to our family than words can express. Thank you, Ann, for caring about families beyond their cancer diagnosis and helping us when we truly needed it.”
The Lewis Family
“This woman is amazing. Ann took the time to sit with my daughter and talk to her during some of her darkest moments. She didn’t just offer words—she showed up for our family. She helped with medication expenses and even helped make sure our home was taken care of with cleaning assistance. We love what Ann is doing through PUSH Collection and PUSH for Cancer. Thank you for being there for our daughter and our family.”
SDM– Is there a final thought or key takeaway you want to leave with our readers?
Ann Williams– I want people to remember that cancer may become part of someone’s story, but it does not have to be the end of their story.
PUSH was born from pain, but it has grown into purpose. My journey taught me that sometimes the very battle you thought would break you becomes the thing that gives you the strength to help someone else. My message to every patient, survivor, caregiver and family is simple: Keep pushing. Keep believing. Keep fighting. And know that you don’t have to do it alone.
And to everyone reading this who can help someone else—don’t underestimate what your support can mean. A donation, a partnership, a resource, a phone call or simply showing up can give someone hope when they need it most.
That’s what PUSH is about: turning pain into purpose and making sure no one fights alone.
