Thomasena Brown celebrates 15 years as a survivor
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
“I have made it my mission in life to make sure no one goes through cancer treatments alone,” says Thomasena Brown. “God allowed me to be a survivor, and I am here to help others.”
Brown was in her early 40’s when she was diagnosed with APL – Acute Promyelocyte Leukemia – in December of 2001, and was raising three children.
“I remember having pain in my side, near my ribcage,” recalls Brown. “It was getting so bad I could hardly stand it. I never dreamed it would be – or could be – cancer, although it was in my family.”
Brown has three siblings that have also suffered from the disease; one of her sisters is a survivor of breast cancer, and two of her brothers suffered with cancer, with one losing his fight. “My brother Terry passed from throat cancer in 2010,” said Brown. “We know that as a family we all need to be careful to have our check ups and health screenings.”
Brown recalls the hard days she had fighting APL, an especially aggressive form of leukemia that required chemotherapy at the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC, in Charleston. “The chemo was rough,” she said. “But the bone marrow testing was the most painful of all.”
After she was finally cured of the disease in December of 2003, Brown dedicated her life to helping others.
She quickly joined the efforts to promote the Relay for Life to raise awareness and funds for research with the American Cancer Society in Darlington County.
She also has helped organize other cancer awareness events in Darlington County.
“God blessed me with curing me, and I want to do His work by helping others,” said Brown. “He kept me here for a reason.”
If residents wish to contact her for support, she is happy to assist. Her contact number is: 843-395-3187.
Relay for Life of Darlington County will hold their 1st Team Meeting on Thursday, November 17 at 6 p.m. at the Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville, in the Education Room.
To RSVP or to ask uestions, contact Chinel Boateng of the American Cancer Society at: 843-245-8538 or email her at: chinel.boateng@cancer.org.
You may sign up for Relay for Life at: www.relayforlife.org/darlingtonsc and follow them on Facebook: Relay for Life Darlington SC.