Marian Elizabeth Atwater is at the heart of our work. She is our why. She is the reason Walk by Faith was established.

 

In 1996, Marian was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and given six months to live. Faced with devastating news, she chose to walk by faith — leaning on her unwavering belief in God and the strength of her family.

 

Marian was deeply supported.
She was surrounded by love.
She did not walk alone.

Her family stood beside her through appointments, treatments, hospital stays, and the emotional weight of uncertainty. That support mattered. It made a difference.

 

But as Stacy walked through that season alongside her, she recognized something that would later shape the mission: not every woman has that kind of support.

 

Not every family has transportation.
Not every patient has someone to coordinate meals.
Not every household has the flexibility, resources, or extended network to absorb the strain of a cancer diagnosis.

 

Marian’s journey revealed both the power of family support and the painful reality that many individuals navigate treatment without it.

 

Even while facing her own battle, Marian continued to serve others — assisting the elderly, volunteering in her church and community, and offering comfort to hospital patients. Her strength was quiet but profound. Her faith was steady. Her generosity never stopped.

Marian peacefully passed away in 2001, but her legacy did not end there.

 

In 2020, Walk by Faith Breast Cancer Support Services was established to ensure that women who lack built-in support systems would still have a village — coordinated care, compassionate navigation, and practical assistance that bridges the gap between diagnosis and daily life.

 

Her story became the foundation.

Her faith became the name.
Her love became the model.

And today, through Wellness Bridge Foundation, that legacy continues to expand so no woman has to face cancer without support, presence, and continuity of care.