Overcoming adversity is one of the many strengths for SIUE women’s basketball players Valerie Finnin and Miranda Brandt.
While talking about their lives, Finnin, a senior at SIUE, and Brandt, a freshman, shared that both of their mothers battled breast cancer. While both moms are doing well today, it was a difficult experience for both.
According to the Susan G. Komen web site, one in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Additionally, breast cancer currently is the leading cause of cancer death among women ages 40 to 50 in the U.S.
Second year SIUE women’s basketball Head Coach Paula Buscher has made breast cancer awareness a priority for her program. This year, SIUE women’s basketball has dedicated Feb. 2-8 to help raise awareness and funds for the St. Louis affiliate of Susan G. Komen. More than $8,600 was raised at last year’s event.
A full schedule of events includes six different ways to give, including a coach’s challenge. Buscher is looking for anyone to match her pledge of $25 per three-pointer made against UT Martin Feb. 8 at the Vadalabene Center. There also will be runners and walkers competing for pledges, a bucket raffle, T-shirts, and a link on the SIUECougars.com web site to donate directly to the cause.
Events like this are special for Brandt and Finnin. Having mothers who have been diagnosed, treated, and defeated breast cancer brings forward powerful emotions that accompany the memories of the battles that affected their families a short time ago.
“It’s beneficial in so many ways,” said Brandt. “Not only are you raising money to go to Susan G. Komen, but I think it helps the healing process to see everyone come together and to see that it is going to be OK.”
Brandt said she has been to many cancer awareness events.
“These events can get very emotional, but I think they are very important,” Brandt added.
Finnin had a high school teammate whose mom also fought cancer. She said it’s a difficult time for all involved, but knowing support is near from those who continue to fight the disease or have won the fight is comforting.
According to Susan G. Komen, a case of breast cancer is diagnosed in a woman every two minutes.
Brandt’s mother, Connie, actually was diagnosed and fought off cancer twice. The first time was when Miranda was a young child.
“The first time I was pretty young so I didn’t really understand what was going on,” said Brandt. “The only thing I remember is her telling the family and everyone crying. I don’t remember her being sick or getting radiation.”
Connie Brandt, of Chamois, Mo., followed proper procedure about two years ago and found another lump. She went back to the doctor’s office and had a biopsy to determine what the lump was. An aggressive form of cancer was found and steps immediately were taken to fight off the cancer.
During that time, Connie would miss many of Miranda’s college visits as well as much of her club basketball schedule. Miranda said she was much more knowledgeable about the situation the second time and was poised to be positive.
“My mom was at everything she could be at, but now she comes to every home game,” said Brandt. “It really is amazing what she has done.”
As the oldest of three children for her mom, Leslie, Valerie Finnin hid much of her feelings from her siblings to make sure she was providing a solid, positive front.
“I’ve never met someone more positive than my mom,” Finnin said. “I think I only saw her cry only once throughout the whole time of cancer, which is amazing to me because I think I would have been a wreck. She stayed strong for our whole family. All of us were trying to stay positive for her and always give her positive vibes.”
The Mokena, Ill., native found out about her mother’s cancer on the first day of her freshman year at Marian Catholic High School.
“She took me outside and said she had to talk to me. She told me she was diagnosed. I was 14 at the time. I honestly didn’t know anyone else who had cancer and hadn’t experienced anyone that close to me. It was kind of a shock. I didn’t know how to react because I was young. I didn’t know how to be there for her,” Finnin said.
Her mother recovered by her sophomore year. That year was challenging.
Finnin’s suggestion for anyone whose parent is going through breast cancer is a simple one.
“Stay positive,” she said. “If you have a family member that is going through it, always stay positive and give them the energy they need.”
She attended last year’s Pink Zone game, knowing that one year later she would be a player for SIUE. Brandt said the upcoming Pink Zone game Feb. 8 will certainly bring back emotions.
“It’s not necessarily tears of sadness,” she said. “It’s tears of joy. It’s a celebration, and they (cancer survivors) fought through it.”
Knowing that she could have lost her mom at a very early age, Brandt, who is the youngest of three siblings, is thankful. But she honors her mother for being the role model she needed to be for her family.
“My mom was so positive,” Brandt said. “You always have to look for the light at the end of the tunnel. During this go-around, my mom was the light at the end of the tunnel. Usually you need others to pick you up, but she helped pick us up.”
Finnin said every Pink Zone game she has attended in her four seasons at SIUE have brought back memories.
“It always reminds me of it,” she said. “I think now it’s more of a happy feeling because my mom is a cancer survivor. I’m so lucky to have my mom with me here.”