Women of Inspiration
Date: October 31, 2005

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Floyd has established itself as a community leader in the campaign to educate women about breast health.

Two Floyd employees who have experienced breast cancer first hand have played an important role in this effort, unselfishly taking what could have been a personal obstacle and turning it into an opportunity for Floyd and the communities we serve.

Ann Hook, Women’s Health Outreach coordinator, was reluctant to talk publicly about her breast cancer.

She did not want, she said, to make it the single definitive experience of her life. However, when she was diagnosed with cancer a second time, Ann re-considered. It was a change of heart that would impact a young lady she had never before met.

Last February, just as she was approaching the 5-years cancer-free mark, a significant anniversary for cancer survivors, Ann discovered a lump in her breast. It was cancer, again.

Ann had just agreed to chair the Rome-Floyd County Relay for Life, an annual cancer fund-raising and awareness event, when she learned she had breast cancer a second time. She was tempted to step down from the volunteer position, but decided against it, believing fate was playing a significant role in the timing.

Despite the diagnosis and treatments, Ann continued in her role as chair woman of the event, and in the process raised over $214,000 this year for the American Cancer Society.

She also continued her role as a women’s health educator. Earlier this month Ann was asked to talk about breast health to about 50 Shorter College students, ranging in age from 18 to 22. Typically, this is not an audience concerned about breast cancer. The American Cancer Society suggests routine mammograms beginning at age 40, but Ann’s message proved particularly poignant for these young women.

When she was first diagnosed with cancer, Ann was in her mid-30s. A nurse, she was active and athletic with none of the risk factors for breast cancer. Her message is that every woman should know her body and conduct regular breast self exams because not everyone falls into a statistical category.

Her message was well-received.

“Sharing her personal knowledge of breast cancer made a tremendous impact on the students,” said Mary Shotwell Smith, director of Student Health Services at Shorter College . “Several of the attendees have significant interest in forming two teams from Shorter College to help get the message out about breast cancer awareness. After the presentation, they spoke with Mrs. Hook about how they can help.”

Such a response was unexpected, but even less expected is what happened in the days that followed.

Within the week, one of the young women had followed Ann’s instructions for conducting breast self exams. discovered a suspicious lump and contacted the college nurse. We don’t yet know the outcome for this young woman, but we do know that without Ann’s willingness to share her message, this young lady might never have been alerted to this concern.

Smith said Ann is an inspiration.

“After facing cancer twice and keeping a positive outlook, she inspires us all to take better care of ourselves and face the future with eyes wide open and brains that are informed.”

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The picture on page 1-C of the Summerville News was one of those stop-you-in-your-tracks photographs.

There, dressed in bright purple and dangling earrings, was a completely bald Nancy Warren using a pair of scissors to fashion a greeting card for a cancer patient.

Like Ann, Nancy , practice coordinator for Chattooga Medical Center , is battling cancer for a second time and has started a support group in Summerville to help others like her. The group meets at Chattooga Medical Center each month.

“Our mission is to let people get together and see that they’re not the only one going through this,” said Warren .

The support group began after a patient at Chattooga Medical Center was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Nancy reached out to her, providing a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen and resources she has found helpful during her own battle. As the two talked, they realized how valuable a support network could be and decided to start their own.

They contacted the American Cancer Society, received permission to meet at Chattooga Medical Center and advertised the support group at the Chattooga County Relay for Life event.

Nancy said 10 people attended the first meeting, and now the number has grown to 24. The meeting agenda varies, she said. Sometimes there are speakers. Sometimes they play bingo. Sometimes the members craft cards and letters to friends and neighbors currently battling cancer.

Primarily, the group is a support network.

“We’re scared, but our families are more scared than we are, so we can’t really go to them,” Nancy said. “This gives us somebody to talk to.”

In the five short months since the group began meeting, Nancy told her local newspaper that all of the members have come to an important realization.

“Every cancer is different,” she said, “and every survivor is incredible.”

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