Breast Cancer survivor’s journey inspires others through volunteer work

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – It’s breast cancer awareness month, and many women take the journey through breast cancer unaware of what’s to come.

Mary Camden, a pink lady who shares her journey through breast cancer with volunteer work, inspires others to do the same. Mary Camden, a pink lady at Christus Health, volunteers in the breast cancer unit, doing whatever’s needed to make patients feel comfortable, often with a basket of goodies.

“It has puzzle books, chap, chapstick, lotion, Kleenex, pillows that a church makes, some snacks, I’m a survivor,” said Breast Cancer Survivor Mary Camden. “Being a cancer survivor, I was a little hesitant in actually going back to the treatment.”

She says her outcome may have been different if she had not had a regular mammogram, following her checkup, when the doctor diagnosed. Following her checkup up the doctor diagnosed Mary with invasive mammary carcinoma.

“One of my toughest moments after chemo treatment with my breast cancer was probably, I prayed to god not to throw up, and that was like my big thing, do not throw up, and so he granted that to me, and I did not ever get sick vomiting, but I got, I had like 10 other side effects,” said Camden.

Additionally, during her journey, her appearance began to change as her hair fell out, but she didn’t let that stop her.

“That was a big thing that started after the first treatment and, and that was, it, it just was coming out,” said Camden, “I’m gonna put I’m gonna be a big girl and I’m gonna go and get my hair, you know, just go sit in there and get my head shaved,” said Camden.

She says her outcome may have been different if she had not undergone a regular mammogram, because self-breast exams can only go so far.

“Don’t, don’t let your age keep you from coming just cause you haven’t come before,” said Camden.

After she beat cancer in 2018, she was so inspired to help other women in the fight through her volunteer work, providing simple items in her basket.

” I go around to the patients and see if they need anything to eat or to drink or a warm blanket or just to chat, and then I’m at the breast care center in Shreveport, and I bring the ladies back for their mammograms,” said Camden.

Extended mammogram hours for Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

CHRISTUS Breast Center 1505 E. Bert Kouns, Suite 201 Shreveport, LA 71105

Tuesday, October 14, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 18, 8 a.m. – noon
Tuesday, October 28, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

CHRISTUS Bossier Emergency Hospital 2531 Viking Dr. Bossier City, LA 71111

Tuesday, October 7, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 11, 8 a.m. – noon
Thursday, October 23, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 25, 8 a.m. – noon