We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natasha Mathias a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Natasha, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

We Stand Together, Inc. (WST) was born out of love, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to hope. Established in 2016, the organization was inspired by our late founder, my twin sister, Natalie Marc Surpris, who was diagnosed at just 38 years old with stage 4 colon cancer.

Our journey of advocacy began even before Natalie’s diagnosis. In 2012, we launched the Forever Pink Soirée, a breast cancer awareness gala dedicated to honoring survivors and spreading education about early detection. We never imagined that just a few years later, cancer would strike so close to home. When Natalie received her diagnosis in March 2015, the stories of courage we had heard at the Soirée became our source of strength, preparing us—at least in some way—for the difficult road ahead.

Natalie faced her battle with unwavering faith and remarkable courage, and her journey ignited in us a deeper determination to educate and empower our community about cancer. Through her experience, we came to realize just how many young adults—particularly young minorities—were facing the same fight. Natalie’s story became the driving force behind our mission to bring awareness, education, and hope to those impacted by cancer.

WST is passionately committed to inspiring hope and providing support to individuals and families impacted by cancer. We host events year-round to educate the community on the importance of early screenings, healthy living, and cancer prevention. But our mission extends beyond awareness—we also offer tangible support.

Before Natalie’s passing in February 2019, she shared one more dream: to host a walk to raise awareness for colon cancer. In April 2021, after taking time to grieve and heal, we honored her wish by hosting the 1st Annual Blue Hope Colon Cancer Awareness 5K in North Miami Beach, Florida. What began as a tribute to Natalie has now become a beloved tradition. This past March, we proudly celebrated the 5th Anniversary of the Blue Hope 5K in Miramar, Florida, continuing to unite the community every Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

That same year, we expanded our mission of support by launching two initiatives to help families and individuals affected by cancer. The WST Financial Assistance Program provides emergency funds to patients undergoing treatment, helping them cover essential living expenses. Meanwhile, the Natalie Marc Surpris Scholarship Fund offers college scholarships to students living with cancer or to those whose parents are currently battling—or have lost their battle with—the disease.

Also in 2021, we introduced WST Table Talk, initially as a virtual event during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the WST Table Talk is held in person alongside our health fairs, giving community members the opportunity to learn directly from health professionals about cancer prevention, early detection, and overall wellness. Most importantly, it provides a safe space for open dialogue—where people can ask questions, find resources, and feel empowered to advocate for their own health care.

Natalie was a true warrior. Her faith in God was unshakable, her strength inspiring, and her joy unwavering—even in the face of cancer. She never allowed the disease to define her, and because of that, victory remained hers.

At We Stand Together, we continue this fight in her honor. Our mission is clear: to ensure that “No One Fights Alone.” We want every patient to feel seen, heard, and supported, and every family to know that help, hope, and community are within reach.

Natalie’s legacy lives on in every life we touch. We stand, we fight, and we love—together.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am the Co-Founder and President of We Stand Together, Inc. (WST), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring hope, raising cancer awareness, and providing support to individuals and families impacted by cancer. Beyond my nonprofit work, I have spent over two decades as an elementary school teacher, a role that brings me great joy and fulfillment. I am deeply passionate about education and the opportunity to positively influence the lives of young children, helping shape their growth and development.

Before founding WST, I also worked in event planning as the former Event Sales Manager for N.U.E. Event & Planning Services. My twin sister, Natalie Marc Surpris, and I shared a love for creating meaningful experiences through events. In 2012, we combined our passion and creativity to launch the Forever Pink Soirée, a Breast Cancer Awareness Gala designed to raise awareness, honor survivors, and celebrate the strength of patients and caregivers.

What sets WST apart is the heart behind our work—we are more than just an organization; we are a community. We are committed to making sure that every individual fighting cancer knows they are not alone, that they are seen, supported, and celebrated. I am most proud that, even in the face of loss, Natalie’s legacy continues to inspire hope and impact lives every day.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about our organization, it’s this: No one fights alone. We are here to educate, to support, and to stand together with anyone touched by cancer.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The loss of my twin sister—and choosing to carry on her legacy through this organization—is the truest testament to my resilience.

When Natalie first passed, I couldn’t imagine continuing this work. I didn’t want to hear the word cancer, let alone talk about it or encourage others who were facing it. The pain of losing her was overwhelming, and for a long time, I felt like I had nothing left to give. It took two years of grieving, healing, and the loving encouragement of family and friends before I found the strength to make a choice: to transform my pain into purpose and my heartbreak into hope for others.

Even now, there are days when the grief still feels fresh, and the weight of losing my twin is heavy. But every day, I choose resilience. I choose to keep going—not just for myself, but for the families who need to know they are not alone. And most importantly, I thank God daily for giving me the courage and strength to push forward, because I know I couldn’t do this without Him.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

My sister and I could never have started this organization without the support of our other co-founder, Berlie Velia-Renesca. Berlie isn’t just a co-founder—she’s my best friend of 28 years and truly like family to us. When we approached her with the idea of starting the nonprofit, she didn’t hesitate for a moment. Natalie’s cancer diagnosis affected her deeply as well, and she was just as committed as we were to raising awareness and making a difference.

Berlie has stood by my side from the very beginning, passionately advocating and spreading awareness since we hosted our very first Forever Pink Soirée Breast Cancer Awareness Gala in 2012. Her dedication and love for this cause have been invaluable, and I couldn’t imagine doing this work without her.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.westandtogetherinc.org
• Instagram: @westandtogetherinc
• Facebook: We Stand Together, Inc.
• Youtube: We Stand Together, Inc.