Maranda LaRussa knew that lumps in one’s breast could be a sign of cancer. But never had she heard about itchy breasts possibly being a sign.
So, when her breasts started to itch in the summer of 2018, she thought it was odd. Then in October 2018, she experienced pain when she touched a lump in her breast. Immediately, she contacted her doctor.
She went in for an ultrasound. Test results showed it was cancer. A few weeks later, she learned she had Stage 3A breast cancer. She felt like if she had known about itchy breasts, she could have gotten her breasts checked earlier.
“But I ‘m glad that I noticed my symptoms, I was vigilant, and I moved as soon as I could,” she said.
Maranda LaRussa (Photo by Taneisha Tucker Photography)
The year was 1991, and Germaine Robinson had just undergone a mastectomy. As doctors started to remove the bandages, questions filled her head.
“Would men be attracted to me?”
“How will my clothes fit?”
But soon, a 22-year-old Germaine had an epiphany that set the tone for the rest of her life: “If they can’t love me without it, then it wasn’t meant to be.”
Germaine Robinson (Photo provided by Germaine Robinson)
Breast cancer wasn’t part of Jill Carter’s plans. But plans change.
She was a married mom of three boys – one in kindergarten, one in fourth grade and one in 10th grade – when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple Negative breast cancer on Oct. 3, 2008. From working part time to handling home life, she stayed on the go
“I remember thinking I don’t have time for this. But I did, and that began the fight of my life,” she said.
Jill Carter (Photo by Taneisha Tucker Photography)
Breast cancer pushed Denetra Johnson to do two things: enroll in community college and go to church more.
It all started on Oct. 29, 2011 after her doctor called and said she had triple breast cancer. What followed next was all Denetra had to hear: “I think we got it in time.”
Denetra cried at first. Then, she told her family and started working on a plan.
“I said, ‘Well, I’m fixing to do some thangs now,’ ” Denetra recalled. “It’s time for me to grow up, … get stronger, be a thriver and a survivor.’ ”
Every day, Alease Sims walks past a pink wreath that once belonged to her daughter, Stacey Sims Turner.
A sign on it reads: “I stood strong. I fought hard. I won.”
Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. As Stacey fought the disease, Alease knew her pain because Alease had fought the same disease in 1989. Alease comforted Stacey through a mastectomy, chemo, radiation and six-month checkups.
Doctors eventually told Stacey she was cancer-free. But in 2021, the cancer had returned and spread to Stacey’s lungs and brain. Again, Alease was by Stacey’s side, telling her, “We are going to fight this.”
Stacey Sims Turner, left, with her mother, Alease Sims at a breast cancer awareness event. (Photo provided by Alease Sims)
Every Thursday, right after Tonya Adams’ breast cancer office visits, she and her mother had a standing date at Edgar’s Bakery in downtown Birmingham.
They’d walk in and the staff already knew what they wanted: a chicken salad box with a croissant, fruit and a slice of strawberry cake or strawberry cupcake.
LaKisha Cargill was 28 years old when she learned she had Stage II, ER+, HER- and ductal carcinoma in situ. The year was 2006.
She underwent chemo and then had lumpectomies to remove the tumor in 2007 in her left breast. She thought she was in the clear of Stage II breast cancer.
But nearly a decade later, cancer returned. This time, it was Stage IV.
Today, LaKisha is a thriver as she lives with cancer every day, balancing treatments and checkups with work, travel and writing in Birmingham.
“Live your life to the fullest,” she said.
LaKisha Cargill found a lump in her breast in August 2006 but couldn’t get in to get a mammogram until that November. At first, doctors told her she was too young to have breast cancer, but scheduled her for a mammogram anyway. While she waited for weeks, she didn’t get discouraged. She maintained her trust in the Lord. “Since I sensed it was cancer, I didn’t let it stop me from living my life,” she said. “I continued working, planned a trip to Las Vegas in October, and waited for my appointment.” (Photo provided by LaKisha Cargill)
In fighting breast cancer, Nataly Swann lost her eyelashes, her eyebrows and a few fingernails.
She also lost her happiness.
For someone who was once carefree, cancer left Nataly heavy with worry about herself and if she’d ever see her family in her homeland of Russia again. Tears flowed, hitting the hard, rough reality she couldn’t change. But as every tear fell, Nataly’s footing eventually softened, making way for a whole new harvest.
How did she reap her happiness again?
“Oh, it’s a journey,” she admits. “I’m still adjusting to it.’’
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.’ ”
Birmingham native and Ramsay High School graduate Jordan Collins wore this fuchsia dress to deliver her breast cancer speech today at Birmingham City Hall to show “life after breast cancer looks amazing.’ (Photo by Chanda Temple)
