Roz Lavant at St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church is a nurse — and a Buddy Check success story. She’s on a mission to rally 100 women to get checked.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The sound of chimes filled the treatment center — a joyful sound marking the end of Regina’s breast cancer journey.
Regina says it plainly and powerfully:
“Because of Buddy Check, I am here today.”
She found her own lump by being faithful to our Buddy Check reminders — and now, she’s a breast cancer survivor.
After ringing the bell, Regina shared hugs and gratitude, celebrating life and the program that helped save it.
We caught up with more survivors at St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church on Jacksonville’s Northside, where faith and pink filled the room. Nearly 20 breast cancer survivors are in their congregation. They want to emphasize that breast cancer can strike young; one woman said she was diagnosed at age 29.
Nurse and survivor Roz Lavant, who is organizing the push, shared her story, too.
“Buddy Check gave me life. I’m alive today because of Buddy Check.”
Roz now leads her church family in handing out Buddy Check kits — simple guides that teach self-exams and encourage people to text reminders on the 12th of every month:
“Hey, today’s the 12th — hey, Buddy, did you check?”
Another survivor, Rosa, added:
“I thank God for Buddy Check.”
Rosa’s story is proof that most breast cancers don’t run in families — out of eight sisters, she’s the only one diagnosed.
Their pastor, Pastor Terry Brown, said he’s proud of the efforts Roz shows.
“I’m thankful for her passion,” he said.
Together, survivors, nurses, and church members are turning awareness into action — making sure Buddy Check continues to save lives across our community.
Get Your Free Buddy Check Kit
Buddy Check is a project of Baptist Health and First Coast News.
You can order a free Buddy Check kit online, which will be mailed to you at no charge.
Each kit includes a waterproof shower card that shows the simple steps to do a self breast exam — and the shower is the perfect place to check. This small reminder has saved many lives.
If Buddy Check has helped you find your breast cancer or inspired you to get checked, Anchor Jeannie Blaylock would love to hear your story. You can email her directly at jblaylock@firstcoastnews.com
“All of these women — and Pastor Brown — are Buddy Champs.”
That’s why Buddy Check remains a powerhouse in the fight against breast cancer.