Hello, Happy (ENCOURAGING) Mama: Stana Bright, Three-Time Breast Cancer Survivor & Local Champion
by Callie Collins
by Callie Collins
Sep 26, 2024
![Stana Bright[580].jpg](https://linpub.blob.core.windows.net/linpubimages/b3/editorialimage/3f1939e8-1456-4200-b0e2-e55133847953.jpg)
Stana Bright, Survivor & Champion
“The awareness aspect is wonderful but for a breast cancer survivor, every month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It becomes a constant in your life once you’ve had cancer,” said Stana. “That publicity and awareness in October is an especially helpful reminder for all women to take care of their breast health and get screened, which may possibly save your life.”
A longtime area resident, the California native is married to her husband, Larry; the couple has two grown children and three grandchildren. Their children were 11 and 14 when Stana was diagnosed after a mammogram following a routine annual physical at age 40. Although she had passed a mammogram the year before without incident, follow-up a year later was recommended and she was found to have breast cancer.
“I’m really a rule-follower and when my doctor suggested the second mammogram, they found something that wasn’t there the first time,” she explained. “I was so happy I had gone in and done that so the cancer could be detected.”
Stana took a leave of absence from her classified position in the Fruitvale school district to have surgery and be treated with chemotherapy for a year. She was then carefully followed by her oncologist.
“I am an advocate for using all the screening methods because if I hadn't done all of those things, who knows,” she said. “You have to be an advocate for yourself. Even though you're busy with your children and their activities, you have to go in and have that done. It really doesn’t take that much time.”
Stana has witnessed strides made in support as well as awareness in recent decades, as volunteers like her have shared their experience and made resources possible.
“When I was first diagnosed 33 years ago, breast cancer wasn’t a thing people routinely heard about. I knew no one who had it or had survived,” she said. “After cancer treatment that first time, I was asked by women who were forming Links for Life to come and speak to them because they wanted to see what was needed in the community.”
The American Cancer Society now lists breast cancer as the most common cancer in American women, with the average chance of a woman developing it in her lifetime at an estimated 13% overall. More than 4 million women in the U.S. are being treated for or have survived breast cancer, it reports. Although rare, making up less than one percent of cases, men can also have breast cancer.
Links for Life, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting awareness, sharing resources and creating services for patients and survivors, was founded in 1992. Stana has been a faithful volunteer since the beginning. The organization’s wig boutique came about as part of what she recommended as something previously missing in the area for women going through treatment.
“Losing your hair is like losing your identity,” she explained. “Women walk out of our boutique or any other like it, they leave with a smile on their face and a confidence that wasn’t there when they went in.”
Stana manning the information table at a Links for Life event. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LARRY AND STANA BRIGHT.
“New patients especially are yearning to talk with others who have been through breast cancer. Family and friends are wonderful but they want to talk to women who have actually gone through it. You need to talk to other women about it,” said Stana. “I became very involved with Links for Life because I felt like I needed to give back. If I could help people walk through this experience by sharing my own, I knew that's what I should do.”
In addition to five and 10-year survivors groups as well as a Spanish language group, a separate group for the recently diagnosed focuses on shared experiences as women go through treatment. Since the pandemic, the group has stayed virtual, which allows participants to be present on days they have treatment or are otherwise feeling unwell; many have young children they can care for at the same time during the Zoom sessions. The virtual aspect of the group also serves those who are immunosuppressed.
Support groups are available through Links for Life without charge. All funding garnered from grants and donations stays in the Kern County area to help local patients and their families. A variety of services are available, including a program to help those without insurance or whose insurance will not cover the cost of a mammogram; with a doctor’s order, Links for Life can aid in making the mammogram possible.
“There are a lot of tears but a lot of smiles too,” said Stana. “It’s that mutual recognition of ‘I see other women going through what I’m going through.’”
Although not technically a support group, coordinated social opportunities are also available for husbands and partners to find camaraderie with one another.
“Meeting needs during a critical time is what Links for Life is all about,” said Stana. “Help is available but that awareness is key because it leads to better outcomes. Women are so often involved in caring for others but we need them to care for themselves so they can be here for themselves and for their loved ones.”
Find out more about Links for Life at https://linksforlife.org/.
Three questions with Stana Bright
1. What did the experience of surviving breast cancer help you to learn or better understand overall?
You need to be your own advocate. Many times, we do see young women who might feel that something is not right and they are told “You're too young for breast cancer” but they persist in finding out. Make sure that you take care of yourself.
2. Are there other helpful organizations in Kern County that our readers should know about to support breast cancer awareness?
Check with your preferred health system for diagnostic tests available. If you need treatment, all of the centers seem to have some type of program for their survivors. The Kern County Cancer Foundation also provides some financial support for those who cannot afford their treatment.
3. What is your public health PSA?
Get screened and be an advocate for yourself.
Fill-in-the-blank questions:
- I'm always laughing at... The things my grandchildren say and do.
- The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is… Check my phone.
- Today, the strangest thing in my purse is... A to-go bag from lunch yesterday that I forgot to put in the refrigerator.
- My favorite food is... Mediterranean food.
- My favorite dessert is... Berry pie.
- In my pantry, you will always find... Too many things, as my kids always tell me.
- Before I go out, I always make sure I have... My phone, my wallet and my keys.
- The best book I've read lately is... "The Women" by Kristin Hannah
- So far, my best life advice is... Enjoy life. You never know what is going to happen but it’s better to enjoy the journey.
