Group supports its friend with cancer; educates others
When times became tough for one local resident, angels stepped forward.
In May, Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School kindergarten teacher Brenda Willis Bodie went to the doctor for severe stomach pains. After months of testing, she was diagnosed in September with pancreatic cancer.
"When I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, I was devastated. My first thoughts were of my family; I didn't want them to go through all of this," Bodie said. "My son Jason and his wife, Hannah, are expecting their first child - and my first grandson - in January 2010. My goal is to be here for the arrival of Henry William Bodie. I hope to be here for him and pull him in his little red wagon we have waiting for him."
Upon learning of Brenda's diagnosis, a group of friends she calls Brenda's Angels stepped up to offer support and to help educate others. Pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and often called the silent disease, is difficult for doctors to diagnose because patients rarely show symptoms until the cancer is in advanced stages.
"This has been devastating. We hope our prayers will work out for the best," said Bodie's mother, Bootsie Willis.
"We appreciate everybody's concern and willingness to help in any kind of way needed," her father, Willie Willis, said.
Brenda's husband, John Bodie, said, "We are forever grateful for everybody and all that Brenda's Angels have done. Hopefully this will shed a lot of light on pancreatic cancer. It has been like living a nightmare. We have been married 35 years, and Brenda is not only my wife but my best friend. It's been tough and all the support helps out."
"Her friends didn't know what to do, but everybody wanted to do something," said Flo Holford, co-chair of Brenda's Angels. "That is how Brenda's Angels began. Our whole purpose is awareness."
"The support of all of my friends - Brenda's Angels - is overwhelming. I'm sure that all the attention that will come from their support for me will benefit other pancreatic cancer patients, possibly leading to early detection and more treatment options," Brenda said. "With the support of my loving family and precious friends, the hope I have in my heart and all the prayers being said for me, I am able to make it through each day. Right now, I am just taking one day at a time and doing what I can to take good care of myself."
Marie Durrett, a co-chair of Brenda's Angels, said, "We want to paint the town purple to show our support and we hope the community will join us. My first cousin, Dr. Danny Hoard of Jackson, Ga., passed away from pancreatic cancer the week after Brenda's pancreatic cancer diagnosis and evaluation in September. I have learned quite a lot about this sneaky and aggressive cancer.
"Diagnostically, it is a very elusive cancer, and, by the time of diagnosis, it is usually very advanced," she continued. "We must have better screening tests available. We need to work on early diagnosis and detection. Certainly, anyone that has a family history of pancreatic cancer needs evaluation, within reason, as early as possible. It is my hope that more research, more studies and earlier detection and tests can lead to an earlier diagnosis. We have made tremendous advances in this area with other cancers. Together, we can do the same with pancreatic cancer."
"I am a cancer survivor, and I have some idea of what she is going through. I look at Brenda as a daughter rather than a daughter-in-law. I have faith, the day will come when she will be a cancer survivor as well," said John Bodie, Brenda's father-in-law. "She has always been our angel."
Brenda's Angels has formed as a nonprofit to raise money to aid in the advance of Pancreatic Cancer research. They are holding several fundraisers throughout November, which is National Pancreatic Awareness Month.
"Please help Brenda's Angels spread the word. Display a purple bow on your mailbox, lamppost, front door, car, home and business," Durrett said.
Purple bows will be available in Aiken at several locations beginning Monday during regular business hours at Lionel Smith Ltd. and all three First Citizens Bank locations in Aiken.
Anyone wanting to help distribute purple bows is asked to meet in front of Lionel Smith on Sunday between 3 and 5 p.m. You will be able to pick up bows for your home, church or business at this time. Pancreatic Cancer Awareness bracelets and car magnets will also be available.
The Southern Thunder Cloggers of Aiken will hold a bake sale and entertainment Sunday in downtown Aiken.
Handmade purple purses and seasonal notecards are for sale at Tea Garden Gifts. Brenda's Angels aprons are available at Red Pepper Gifts located in Centre South.
YSB Cosmetics by Yolanda Baron has created an amethyst jewel eye shadow collection exclusively for Brenda's Angels, and Julia West, an independent distributor with MONA VIE, is selling purple juice for the cause.
All of the proceeds raised are to support research efforts.
For more information, call Toni Williamson at 645-5458 Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. or e-mail Williamson.toni@rocketmail.com.
Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.