By Chanda Temple
Jordan Collins was a sophomore at the University of Alabama in October 2024, when her world seemed to stop.
There, standing in the shower, she felt a lump. She was only 19.
The next morning, she went to a women’s health clinic and underwent additional testing. On Nov. 19, 2024, she was told she had Stage 0 breast cancer.
Immediately, her mind began to race. Could it had been something she ate? Something she drank? Her environment? Could it have even been her family genes since several of her aunts had had breast cancer?
Then, she leaned on her faith to ease her fears. And right there, ‘”Jordan, the Warrior ” was born.
“I said, ‘This is my fight, and I will fight it.’ ”
Doctors discussed these treatment options with her:
- A lumpectomy with radiation
- A single mastectomy
- A bilateral mastectomy
Fearful the cancer could return or spread before she even turned 35 or 40, Jordan pushed for a bilateral mastectomy. On Jan. 7, 2025, she had both breasts removed and had reconstructive surgery in Birmingham. She started classes at Alabama on Jan. 8.
“I wanted to take a medical withdrawal, but I thought it would be best to keep pushing,” said Jordan. “So, I worked through the university and got all of my classes online.”
Today, Jordan is 20-year-old junior majoring in management information systems. Her goal is to become a data analyst for a Fortune 500 company.
“There is life after breast cancer. I’m thriving, y’all,” she said, wearing a fuchsia, floor-length gown and her hair pulled back in a chignon as she stood, speaking before a packed room today during the City of Birmingham Human Resources’ “Pink Power” hour to honor its employees affected by breast cancer.
She later said she wore the dress to make a statement and show that “life after breast cancer looks amazing.”
“I look good, and I feel good.”
She also wants to continue to spread the message that early detection is so important, and continue to work with breast cancer support groups such as PinkTopps and Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center.
“By sharing my story, I hope it will encourage young people to get checked and for every woman to get checked,” she said. “Please don’t put anything off. If you see something, feel something. Say something.”
Because her appointments took place at St. Vincent’s in Birmingham, she visited several restaurants in the area. Her favorite was Hattie B’s, where she ordered the chicken tenders. Said their peach cobbler was “my guilty pleasure.”
“After a long day of appointments, that’s what I wanted to eat,” she said.
And since she graduated from Ramsay High School, which is also near the hospital, she liked the big baked potato from Al’s Deli; and chicken sausage and pancakes from Pancake House in Five Points South.
“After cancer, I made a lot of dietary changes. I cut pork out, and I watch may sugar intake,” she said. I just drink water or freshly squeeze orange juice and apple juice. I try to eat food that is very organic.”
“I still eat Hattie B’s once a month. I’ll give myself some grace,” she said. “I sometimes get a cupcake from K&J’s (Elegant Pastries in Birmingham’s Uptown.) I deserve a little sweet treat sometimes.”
NOTE: In America, one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I will be profiling one female breast cancer survivor each day in October 2025. The stories will also highlight a food from a Birmingham, AL restaurant or food vendor they liked at some point during their breast cancer journey or today. The series is called “SurviveHer at the Table: Food. Faith. Fight.”
Each story posted this month is the opinion of the survivor, with a goal to increase awareness about early detection and treatment for breast cancer. Readers should consult with their physician for medical and health advice and their nutritionist for healthy eating tips. Links to area resources will be shared in future posts this month.
Chanda Temple is an award-winning writer living in Birmingham, Ala. She blogs at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. If you have a food story idea, email her at chandatemple@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram at @chandatemple.
Copyright © 2025, All rights reserved.
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