C-A-N-C-E-R: That Six-Letter

By Kathleen Turman Zeta National American Cancer Society Director

CANCER. Most of us think that being diagnosed with that six-letter word is an automatic death sentence, but there is an eight-letter word that changes all of that: SURVIVOR.

When diagnosed with cancer, some people choose hope over despair. That’s what Soror Brenda Reed, National Zeta Dove Director, matriarch and chapter member of Kappa Rho Zeta chapter in Metro Detroit, charter member of Sigma Alpha Zeta in Milwaukee, and two-time breast cancer survivor did.

After making a solo move to Milwaukee at the age of 50 for a new job, Soror Reed did her due diligence and checked herself for lumps. Unfortunately, she felt something, and was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer in her left breast shortly after in October 1989.

“Everyone I knew who had cancer died, and I wasn’t ready to die,” Soror Reed said.

There’s that hope. Upon being diagnosed, she was given two options – a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. Although a hard decision, she chose the mastectomy and removed her left breast. During her treatment, she also faced five weeks of chemotherapy and radiation due to the advanced stage of her cancer. All the while, she remained prayerful and positive that her life was not over. She still has the burn marks to prove it.

Years later, after moving back to Detroit in 2018, Soror Reed got a call from her doctor that she was yet again diagnosed, this time with Stage 0 Breast Cancer in her right breast. She decided at that point that another mastectomy was in order.

“When you say Big C, you cut it all off,” Soror Reed said with seriousness, but a light-hearted tone. “The Big C kills you. I came into the world without any boobs, and I’m leaving the world without any boobs.”

Her advice to those who get diagnosed: “Pray every day, all day, and keep your hand in the Master’s hand. Find the best doctor you can that will not only listen to you, but will also care about you. The best doctor can make the difference.”

At 81, Soror Brenda Reed is a 31-yearSurvivor, whose beautiful spirit, continued positivity and strength give confirmation that cancer is not a death sentence.

So, whether you Stride, Relay, or give Hope, the donations made to the American Cancer Society focus on advocacy in the fight against cancer by providing education, cancer treatment transportation, lodging for cancer patients and their families, and cancer screenings to name just a few things. If you are a Survivor, a newly diagnosed cancer patient, or even a caregiver, the American Cancer Society has resources to help you through your journey. The American Cancer Society provides 24/7 resources to help support and fill in the gaps for patients and their families at can cer.org. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. continues to join the fight to save lives, celebrate lives, and help to lead the fight for a world without cancer.