City Hall employees find camaraderie in their fight against breast cancer
By Chanda Temple, City of Birmingham
In life, we do a lot of things for friends.
We pick up dinner when they’ve had a bad day. We babysit their kids to give them a break. We give them a hug to show we care.
But earlier this month, a City of Birmingham employee did something for a friend she’s been putting off for a while. She got a mammogram. It was her first.
In April 2019, the employee’s friend died after a short battle with breast cancer. For months, the employee mourned her passing. How else could she cope with her pain? Then, when she received an email that the City of Birmingham was offering free 3-D mammograms for its employees at Kirklin Clinic in October, she found her answer.
“I’m doing this for her. Not only for myself, but for her,’’ the employee said as she sat in the waiting room at Kirklin. “This is the first person I’ve ever lost who impacted me. I feel like she’s here with me.’’ The employee’s name has been withheld for her medical privacy.
It wasn’t easy to get this point. The employee had put off the idea of getting a mammogram, thinking she was too young or the time wasn’t right. Plus, she was scared. But after walking through the doors at the waiting room, she felt at home. There, on the other side of the doors were representatives from the city’s HR department as well as two breast cancer ambassadors to talk to help ease any fears employees may have about the exam.
UAB employee and breast cancer survivor Marie A. Sutton was one such person, standing ready to help city employees like the one who had lost her best friend.
Said the employee: “I’m glad Marie’s here. It’s like my friend put someone else in her place to keep pushing me.’’
Sutton told the employee what she could expect in the examination room and discussed her own experience with breast cancer: chemotherapy, radiation and having a double mastectomy. “Having a mammogram is a momentary discomfort. You will be fine. Don’t let that fear grip you,’’ Sutton said. “It doesn’t add value.’’
The employee nervously nodded her head as she began to grow more comfortable about what was to come. She thanked Sutton for her soothing words. Then, minutes later, the employee was called to the back. She was ready.
Thirty minutes later when the employee returned from her exam, Sutton said: “I’m proud of you.’’
The employee: “And I’m proud of you for fighting this disease.’’
Sutton: “Let’s make a pact that we will both take care of ourselves. This is a daily journey that never ends.’’
Such a scene was just one of the powerful moments city employees have been experiencing during October as the city recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month and those employees impacted by the disease. Some city employee breast cancer survivors walked in breast cancer walks while others joined Mayor Randall L. Woodfin during an Oct. 15 city council meeting for the “Power of Pink Day.’’
“This morning, I’m honored to recognize some brave warriors working for the City of Birmingham. These employees are just a few of the many courageous individuals working with us who’ve either fought breast cancer and won or are still in the midst of their battle,’’ said Mayor Woodfin. “Their strength speaks volumes to me and I hope it does to you, too, which is why I’m declaring today, Oct. 15 as “The Power of Pink Day’’ at City Hall.’’
