Photo By Staff Sgt. Ashley Cohen | Sgt. 1st Class Rowena A. Brown, right, non-commissioned officer in-charge of logistics...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCcHORD,Wash. – The passing of October holds deep meaning for Sgt. 1st Class Rowena A. Brown, non-commissioned officer in-charge of logistics for Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, I Corps, as it marks a time dedicated to a cancer she knows all too well.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is designed to promote awareness of early detection, offer support for those affected by it and drive the fight for a cure. These are all ideals engrained in Brown’s character.
“To build awareness is for people to know and be aware of the signs and symptoms and to teach them to get to know their bodies by themselves,” said Brown about the importance of NBCAM.
Brown’s battle with breast cancer and commitment to survival has enforced her advocacy for cancer awareness.
“She is a survivor, she is a person who will also ensure that other people survive,” said Capt. Erica M. Wright, operations officer, HHC, I Corps. “She is a giving, loving person, a diamond in the rough. I think it was an attribute that was in her before her experience. Now she just has something to add to those people that she is trying to reach.”
Brown was diagnosed with cancer in 2005, after a biopsy confirmed that a cyst contained cancer cells.
“Even after six years I remember it really well,” said Brown about her reaction to the diagnosis. “When they told me, I listened to them and listened to them and boom that was it,” she said holding back tears. “The hard part was telling my family.”
Brown, who is a single parent, had an especially difficult time sharing the news with her daughters Brittani Brown, 18, and Ke’ Aundra Davis-Brown, 12.
“I panicked, I cried; I didn’t know what to say or do,” said Brittani who was 11 when her mother was diagnosed.
She describes her children as being the fighting force behind her determination to survive.
“I had to be there for my kids. I wanted to be there for when they graduate high school and to see them grow-up. As long as I’m here I’m going to fight for them,” Brown said.
Brown’s diagnosis was followed by several painful surgeries with others on the way. Through it all she manages to face every day with optimism, strength and perseverance.
“I look at life differently. It helped me realize those things that are taken for granted,” said Brown.
Her experience with breast cancer introduced her to a local support group called Sisters of Hope in Tacoma, where she shares her story, offers support for others and continues to spread awareness. The organization also has support groups for men and children.
“For me, it has meant a lot to be a part of the group, because I don’t have a lot of family here. Now I have a whole new family other than my military family,” said Brown, whose office space is riddled with photos with members of the group and statues of support for breast cancer awareness.
“She has fundraised and made a lot of money to fight against the disease,” said Wright. “She has definitely gotten people more involved and driven them to become more educated about it.”
Brown carries that support everywhere she goes, even to work, where soldiers whose lives have been affected by cancer approach her often.
“She has always been a person to share knowledge, coach, mentor and counsel. She has generated a lot of support for cancer awareness and those affected by it. She has been able to validate a lot of information based on her experiences,” Wright added.
Many of her co-workers now share the pink ribbon pin of support because of her influence.
“I have always had compassion for people and not because of their illness, just because they are people,” said Brown. “We never think of certain things being of great importance until we have encountered it ourselves.”
Her unwavering advocacy for cancer awareness spreads a contagious growth of knowledge and support to her community. Her commitment brings to life the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.07.2011 12:27 |
| Story ID: | 79673 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, I Corps NCO spreads awareness with experience, compassion, by SSG Ashley Cohen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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