Dwayne Joseph
Staff Writer
Jackson State University Head Basketball Coach Wayne Brent shared his personal journey with breast cancer at the Breast Cancer Awareness Kick Off Event Hotspot on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Brent, guest speaker at the event sponsored by the Residence Hall Association (RHA), shared how he was affected when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. He says that he never missed a day of work until he “ran into cancer.”
“My mother died in 2009 on Valentine’s Day after we won the District Tournament against Ridgeland. Seeing my mother die was a change in my life,” said Brent. He has given at least $30,000 over the years to the campaign for finding a cure for breast cancer.
Brent encouraged any and everyone to get tested for breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and the second-most common cancer overall. About 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. In 2014, an estimated 232,030 cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. alone
Alarming statistics like these is why Darnell Barksdale, RHA advisor, believes it is imperative to raise the awareness of breast cancer in the community.
“This is why RHA has decided to join the fight against breast cancer and hopefully encourage others to join the fight too,” said Barksdale.
The event highlighted ways students can practice proactive measures to prevent or detect the disease early.
Lacy Jones, a senior earth system science major from Meridian, Miss., lost an aunt to breast cancer and offered advice to students.
“Do your self exams and go to the doctor at least twice a year so that if you are diagnosed with it, the doctors can catch it at an early stage,” said Jones.
Lakrishay Simmons, a junior biology pre-nursing major from Lexington, Miss., stated that her great-grandmother was diagnosed at an early stage of breast cancer and survived.
“We dealt with this matter by taking her to the appointments and being there for her during the chemotherapy she went through. My great-grandmother is a survivor,” said Simmons.
During the Hotspot, a pink “Drive to Survive” truck sponsored by Patty Peck Honda was available for students to sign their names or write encouraging words to breast cancer survivors.
Wennie Sansing, a senior physics major from Indianola, Miss., signed the truck in memory of her great aunt who is currently battling breast cancer.
“I signed the truck because I have lost a lot of women in my family due to breast cancer. It runs in my family so I get checked every time I go to the doctor,” said Sansing. “All we can do as a family is encourage my aunt, be there for her and take care of our own health.”
Photos by William Kelly
