|
Previous Survivor
Stories
 |
Billy
and Alice Sanders,
Lancaster, PA |
Billy and Alice Sanders' relationship
began when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
They were both working at Ford New Holland in
Lancaster County, but they didn't know each other.
When Alice was diagnosed with breast cancer in
1993, a memo went
throughout the company about her extended medical
leave. When she re-turned to work, Billy called her
to welcome her back and to tell her that God had
placed her on his heart. Alice did not hear from
Billy again until she retired in 1995. He again called
her and asked if he could contact her sometime to
share spiritual conversation. They began talking
in January 1996, and from that point on they became
spiritual soul mates. They were married on December
31, 1997. The following remarks were made by Billy
at the Mother's Day Mammograms ® kick-off, in the
Capitol Rotunda, May 2nd.
I thank God for the
privilege to participate in this very important
occasion, because as a husband, I know that breast
cancer survivors need a lot of support. It is important
that husbands encourage their wives to get regular
mammograms and check-ups.
It is important as a
spouse to listen to your wife, to be there for
her, to accompany her to the doctor's office, to
hold her, to understand what she needs, and when
necessary, to tell her to stop, slow down and rest.
I thank God for our faith together in facing this
disease, but it is our inner strength that has
taken us to the next level and has helped us to
take one precious day at a time. I thank God that
we have reached a point in our lives where we can
shift the focus off ourselves and reach out to
others to spread the important message of mammograms
for early detection of breast cancer.
It is important that
we as a family and we as a people come together
to fight this disease by taking charge of our lives
and believing in God for a cure. Our faith in God
helps us know that one day there will be a cure
for breast cancer; but until that day arrives,
my wife and I will continue to reach out to others
to spread the message of mammograms.
| |
Billy Sanders
Lancaster, PA |
|
