A registered nurse skipped mammograms for 18 years, and now she has stage 4, triple-negative breast cancer. Now, she hopes others don’t repeat her mistakes.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It takes courage to admit when you’ve made a mistake—especially one that is monumental. But a Jacksonville nurse aims to share her story with hopes of helping others avoid her mistake.
For 34 years, First Coast News anchor Jeannie Blaylock has encouraged women to stay on top of their breast health through the Buddy Check program. Following Jeannie’s own breast cancer journey, thousands of viewers have reached out with messages of support and personal stories; however, one message stood out.
It came from a registered nurse in Jacksonville named Leigh, who has watched the Buddy Check program for years. Today, Leigh is battling Stage 4, triple-negative, invasive breast cancer — an aggressive and life-threatening form of the disease.
What makes her story especially powerful is that Leigh knew the importance of early detection.
Her mother and cousin had breast cancer, and her grandmother died from the disease. Because of her family history, Leigh’s doctor advised her to begin getting mammograms at age 35. But she didn’t.
In fact, Leigh skipped mammograms for 18 years.
“Everyone said it hurt,” Leigh explained.
During a recent conversation, Jeannie pointed out how honest Leigh has been about her decision to delay screening.
“And I feel like God directed me to your message because He knew you’d be honest and open with what you did and wish you hadn’t done, right?” Jeannie asked.
Leigh’s response was direct.
“Yes. I will say I was stupid. I will say it and own it.”
She’s opening up because she says, as a nurse, her life mission is to help people. She still wants to do that, even with her condition.
Leigh also shared how much the Buddy Check message has meant to her over the years.
“I always watched you and the Buddy Check, and I grew up watching it,” she told Jeannie.
Invite Jeannie and Leigh to Speak
Jeannie and Leigh are available to speak at community events, organizations, churches, and other gatherings about the importance of breast cancer awareness and early detection. To request Jeannie and Leigh as guest speakers, email Jeannie Blaylock at jblaylock@firstcoastnews.com.
Get a Free Buddy Check Kit
You can help protect yourself and the people you care about by ordering a free Buddy Check kit. Baptist Health will mail a Buddy Check kit directly to your home at no cost.
To request your free kit, visit Baptist Health’s webpage.
Bring Mammograms to Your Workplace
The Buddy Bus mobile mammography unit can bring life-saving breast cancer screenings directly to workplaces, churches, community groups, and special events. Just walk in, get your mammogram in less than 15 minutes, and you’re done.
To reserve the Buddy Bus for your organization or community event, visit Baptist Health’s webpage.