BIRMINGHAM - AL -
Life often takes many unexpected turns. Sandra Little Brown never thought she'd be called to serve as a Jefferson County commissioner. Now, she's a breast cancer survivor.
Three weeks ago, Brow was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"I was able to catch it soon. It was confined to one location. I had to lose both breasts because of that," she said "Just imagine if it had gotten all over my body. Probably would've had a funeral."
Sallie Sykes' sisters and daughter have also found lumps in their breasts. She encouraged Brown to act quickly and started a prayer group.
"She can handle any situation and she can get a crowd with her too. We follow her because we have a lot of confidence in her," said Sykes, a friend and fellow Mt. Zion Baptist Church member.
Brown's confidence and strength tackled the disease that 250 thousand other women will be diagnosed with this year. 40 thousand will die. Many of them will be African American women.
"I wouldn't put this on the table for any other woman to come by and pick up. I can handle this and I'm going to handle this for His glory," said Brown.
But she isn't doing this alone. Thursday, her church brought lunch. Brown and her family hosted fellow commissioners, other county employees, their spouses, and even the county's bankruptcy attorney. Many of them personally understand her struggle.
"I will never forget April 22, 1999 at 3:22 pm when I was told I had cancer," said Commission President David Carrington of his prostate cancer diagnosis. "We dealt with ours fairly quickly too. Not only would I like to encourage the women for their annual exams, men as well."
The Hales also offered words of encouragement. Sheriff Mike Hale still wears pink ties three years after his wife beat breast cancer.
"For the guys, we don't know what to say. We don't ever know what to say. But ladies like Diana, they answer the questions. They know what to say," said Hale.
It's simple... early detection is key.
Brown will return to the courthouse soon. She plans on announcing a cancer awareness effort with the sheriff then. But first, she'll walk in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this weekend as a survivor.
