Inspiring Change: Sandra Calloway Fields’ Survivorship Journey from Diagnosis to Advocacy
Advocate Spotlight: Sandra Calloway Fields
Sandra Calloway Fields was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. Just a month after surgery to remove the cancer, Sandra found a lump in her breast during a self-breast exam in the shower. Her suspicions were soon confirmed: Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. “Of course, I was shocked, but I was determined to not let this defeat me,” she said. “I have too much to live for, so I knew I wasn’t going to go out like that.”
Still, the news was a heavy blow, and she vividly recalls driving to her parents’ house afterward, unable to hold back her tears. “My dad walked over to see why I didn’t get out of the car. We were restoring a 1963 Ford Fairlane, one of my hobbies. When he saw I was crying, he just started singing ‘Love Lifted Me.’ That moment gave me the strength to face the challenges ahead,” Sandra reminisces.
Sandra underwent a lumpectomy, followed by 36 double-doses of radiation. A year later, she had reconstruction which led to severe pain and swelling. Ultimately, Sandra had a bilateral mastectomy. Sandra remembers feeling lost, “I didn’t know what questions to ask. No one in my family had experienced cancer, or they didn’t talk about it. I was lost, searching for answers.” Finding support from within the cancer community was also difficult, she recalls. “My church family didn’t talk about it and the support groups didn’t look like me (a young black woman).” But the biggest challenge, Sandra says, “was fear of the unknown and the ‘what-ifs’ surrounding the lack of knowledge in my life.”
Given her extensive treatment, late and long-term effects were unavoidable. The treatments affected her hips, necessitating hip replacements in 2019 and 2020. Despite these challenges, Sandra’s resilience remained unshaken. “When I got home after all of my surgeries, I would stand in the bathroom, look at my scars, and say, ‘God, I’m thankful I’m still standing.’ I lost my hair three times, and I’d try on wigs and say, ‘You are so pretty.'”
Sandra’s experience with cancer spurred her to become deeply involved in the cancer community. She has been with Cancer Awareness Network Inc. (CAN) in Birmingham, Alabama, for 13 years, and served as its President for 4 years. The organization aims to eliminate the fear associated with a cancer diagnosis for people of all ages. They collaborate closely with local oncologists to stay updated on clinical breakthroughs and research. “CAN is designed to inform, motivate, and educate individuals by assisting in an effective and positive health care experience,” Sandra explains. Under her leadership, CAN has empowered over 500 cancer survivors and their families. She also wrote a play, “Colors of Cancer,” to share survivors’ stories and educate the public about different types of cancer and their warning signs. Through the play, Sandra raises money for a college scholarship fund for students battling cancer and students with parents who have or have had cancer.
Pictures from a CAN Survivor Stories on Stage event in 2024.
Sandra and Loretta Herring at NCCS’s 2022 CPAT Symposium
Sandra believes that advocacy and policy work are crucial for survivors, as it empowers them to influence change and improve the quality of life for others facing similar battles. Her advice to new advocates is straightforward: “Focus on what you are the most passionate about.”
Sandra Calloway Fields’ journey from a cancer diagnosis to becoming a steadfast advocate for cancer survivors is a testament to her resilience and determination. Her work continues to inspire and empower others, proving that even in the face of adversity, one can make a profound impact.
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