Danielle Smith is the founder and president of WHYME. Her breast cancer journey began in 2018 when doctors first detected an abnormality in her annual mammogram. After a series of tests, a needle biopsy conducted on New Year’s Eve 2020 revealed an aggressive Stage 1, Grade 3, HER2+ breast cancer.
Danielle underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy followed by six weeks of radiation in 2021. During her treatment, she held multiple fundraisers at D&D Smith Winery, the winery she runs with her husband, Denny, in Norwalk, Ohio. That year, she raised $5,300 to support local cancer patients and planted the seeds for WHYME, which became a registered 501(c)(3) in 2022.
As president of WHYME, Danielle is committed to sharing her story and educating others about holistic approaches to healthy living to help reduce the risks of breast cancer in her community, leveraging her certification in nutrition and wellness.
I was told I had an aggressive form of breast cancer. The first thing you think is: why did God do this to me?
Danielle Smith
When Danielle received her breast cancer diagnosis in January 2021, she felt dizzy with confusion. “Your mind’s going crazy, and you can’t even deal with it,” she says. “I kind of felt dizzy, like what just happened?”
Since then, Danielle has continued to research breast cancer risks, prevention, and treatment to continue her health journey. After facing her cancer battle with the support of her family and friends, Danielle decided that she didn’t want to see other women in the community face that kind of diagnosis alone.
“We just want to help Huron County reduce our risk of breast cancer, other cancers, and diseases, with a holistic approach to healthy living,” she says. “I think the biggest thing that we could all do is come together and live healthier.”