Rhoda Blackwood, a compassionate and resilient leader, draws strength from her own journey as a breast cancer survivor. Her dedication is fueled by lived experiences and personal triumph. With notable expertise and certifications in patient support, she crafts empowering community programs. Her unwavering commitment helps others navigate their paths with courage, building a network of hope across Maryland.
My name is Rhoda Sutherland-Blackwood founder of Rhoda Cares. My life has been shaped by faith, resilience, and a relentless calling to serve others through compassion and purpose.
I was born in the beautiful Island of Jamaica, where I learned early on the values of family, faith, and community. These values laid the foundation for the woman I would become. Years later, I migrated to the United States of America, a move that came with its own challenges but also tremendous opportunities. Here, I built a life rooted in love and perseverance, alongside my two sons, my husband, my parents, my sisters and friends and family. Together, we made our home in the state of Maryland.
In December of 2016, my world changed when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That moment tested every part of me—body, mind, soul and spirit. But even in my darkest hours, I held fast to my faith and the belief that my pain had a greater purpose. After eight years of survivorship, I now look back and see not just the scars, but the light that guided me through them. I learned what it meant to truly fight, to rise, and to live.
Out of that journey came my passion for helping others walking through similar storms. I founded - Rhoda Cares-a community-based organization committed to supporting breast cancer survivors, thrivers, and families grieving the loss of loved ones. What began as a mission rooted in my own healing has grown into a powerful network of hope, advocacy, and love that stretches across Maryland.
As an entrepreneur, I also own and operate Care For U Home, a licensed Home Healthcare Agency dedicated to providing dignified, personalized care to individuals in need. Through this work, I continue to support the vulnerable—those battling illness, aging in place, or recovering at home—with the same compassion I had shown in my hardest moments.
Everything I do is deeply personal. My life’s work is not just a career—it is a ministry, a calling, and a legacy. Every survivor deserves a community, every family deserves support, and every life touched by cancer should know they are not alone.
I am Rhoda Sutherland-Blackwood. A wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a breast cancer survivor, an entrepreneur, and a servant of hope and a friend of God.
My mission is clear: to help others navigate their journey with courage, to shine a light in the darkest places, and to remind every soul that healing is possible—and that they matter.
With every step I take, I carry the names, faces, and stories of those we have lost, those still fighting, and those who have triumphed. I carry them with grace, with strength, and with unwavering love. Won’t you be one of our Sponsors, we crave your support, and your donations thank you for kindness your support and your generosity.