Surviving triple-negative breast cancer: A journey of faith, family, strength
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To focus on this disease that affects both women and men, Meridian Community College will host the Queen City Race for Life and Street Strut on Saturday, Oct. 19, beginning at 8 a.m. on the MCC Track. The event pays tribute to breast cancer survivors, increases breast cancer awareness, and raises funds for the Baptist Anderson Cancer Patient Benevolence Fund.
Three ambassadors for the race are to be honored this year: Pam Mosley, Taymecca Sears, and Tom Bradshaw. Mosley and Sears are breast cancer survivors; Bradshaw was his wife's caregiver. All expressed their faith as instrumental in their journeys.
At the age of 54, Meridianite Pam Mosley was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer—one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.
Today, she's eight years cancer-free. 
Mosley, who works in the medical field in the radiology and MRI departments at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center, was familiar with this healthcare arena; she knew the importance of yearly mammograms and ultrasounds. And when it was time for her exam, she made her appointment. "At the time, I did have a slight pain in my breast," she remembered.
When the radiologist, Dr. Amy Coleman, called Mosley to give her the diagnosis, she was taken aback for a second.
"She immediately told me that the cancer was detected early and that it was a small lesion," Mosley said.
Initially classified as Stage 3, her cancer was reclassified to Stage 1 when it was confirmed that it had not invaded her chest wall. With early detection, she required chemotherapy but avoided radiation.
Mosley's faith supported her throughout her journey – especially during those first days.
"Dr. Coleman had already set me up with Dr. Matt Cassell and Ginny Ruffin at Baptist Anderson Oncology," Mosley said. "He put my mind at ease when he expressed that he was a God-fearing man."
She added, "Everything fell into place when my surgeon, Dr. Stephen Tartt, also expressed he was God-fearing."
"That was my confirmation," Mosley said.
Despite the challenges of chemotherapy and surgery, Mosley said she endured. And it was her family, who was at her side every step of the way, who encouraged and supported her. “They are my everything. Thank God for them,” she said.
“I have a son, Kino, a daughter, Stephanie, three grands, and a fourth on the way. My husband Stevie has been to every doctor visit and chemo treatment, and my children when they were able to be there. My son even cut my hair off for me when I started losing it with chemo. My son-in-law Jordan had several basketball tournaments on my behalf as my church family did a fish fry,” Mosley noted.
Even church family, friends, and coworkers came together, organizing fundraisers and offering prayers.
"My faith was strong, my will was strong, and my support was strong and amazing," Mosley said.
She added, “I also thank God for my mom and dad, who passed away with cancer. Thanks to my sisters, in-laws, and church family for their support and prayers. Thanks to friends and coworkers. Special prayers for families who have lost loved ones and for the women who are still in the fight.”.
"To God be the glory," Mosley often says, reminding others of the importance of routine screenings and the power of a loving community.
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu/streetstrut.