32    Cone Health Philanthropy
A breast cancer survivor reflects on care, 
community and what carried her through. 
Roselyn “Rosie” Powell was 57 when she went in for a routine 
mammogram. She’d been diligent about screenings. When she was 
called back for further testing, she assumed it would be nothing. 
Instead, it marked the beginning of a breast cancer journey that 
included multiple surgeries, radiation and reconstruction.
During treatment at Cone Health’s Wesley Long Cancer Center, 
Rosie learned the geography of a new life — a small, repeating world 
defined by the valet stand, the front desk, the waiting areas and the 
radiation suite. What stays with her most is the people.
“I actually got energized by the experience because of the people 
at the cancer center,” Rosie says. From the valets to the front 
desk staff, volunteers, nurses and radiation technicians, she found 
consistency and kindness at every visit. Known for her quick wit and 
easy conversation, she made it her goal to ease tension along the 
way. “They became my family,” she says. “It was almost sad after my 
last radiation.”
Rosie remembers how her brother summed up her cancer journey: 
“You got up every day and treated it like your job.” That meant 
showing up with intention — just as she had during her years as a 
probation and parole administrator. Throughout her illness, friends 
and family showed up, too, beside her at every new challenge.
Throughout her journey, Rosie noticed something else: the steady 
stream of patients arriving on buses, sometimes from counties 
away — people facing cancer alongside financial 
strain, housing instability and long travel days.
“That made a big impression,” she says. “I 
was fortunate to have stability and a support 
network, but so many others need assistance. I 
couldn’t just walk away and not be part of that.”
Rosie made an annual commitment to support 
Alight Integrative Care and stepped into a new 
role as a third-party fundraiser.
At Greensboro Country Club, where golf has 
long been part of her life, Rosie revived a 
breast cancer support tournament — and even 
reimagined it. She made it coed and accessible. 
Not a gala. Not a major ask. People come to play, 
enjoy one another and contribute what they can. 
Through the generosity of Greensboro Country 
Club and the steadfast support of its members 
and sponsors, the tournament grew. Over five 
years, their collective generosity has helped raise 
more than $100,000 for Alight Integrative Care 
— a level of impact that would not have been 
possible without the club’s partnership.
Rosie also insisted on what she calls “show 
and tell.” One year, the Cone Health mobile 
mammography unit parked at the course. 
Another year, golfers learned about the Healing 
Garden at Wesley Long.
“Most people don’t really know their local health 
system,” she says. “If this tournament can raise 
money and awareness, that matters.”
This year marks her fifth and final year leading 
the event. She has begun working with others to 
ensure it continues. “It’s time for someone else 
to put their own stamp on it.”
Rosie is also a legacy giver, with a planned gift 
directed to Alight Integrative Care.
Ask what ties it all together — the years of 
treatment, the golf tournament, the planned gift 
— and her answer is simple.
“Cone Health is right down the street,” she says. 
“They took care of me.” 
ALIGHT INTEGRATIVE CARE
What happens when 
Rosie Powell gets to work

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