COMMUNITY OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT ❚■
MOTHER & DAUGHTER : A Q & A ABOUT HOPE AND RESILIENCE
Francine Walton ’ s mother , Marcia , has had a profound influence on her personal and professional mission . We asked Francine to share how her mother has shaped her perspective on the cancer journey , including the importance of hope and resilience in the face of adversity .
Q : Your mother has survived breast cancer twice , as well as endometrial cancer and Stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma . That ’ s a daunting list . What can you tell us about her ability to persevere ? Did she do anything special that was key to her recovery or mindset ?
A : I wholeheartedly believe that my mom persevered through her cancer journey and is thriving now because of her faith in God and her beautiful , positive and loving spirit . She ’ s “ our angel on earth .” My mom knows no stranger and loves helping others . She also had the best support team of family members and friends . I don ’ t think that she went to one chemo treatment without a friend or family member with her .
Another major key to my mom ’ s recovery was her medical team at UAB – her nurses , her oncologist , the staff who brought her food and cleaned her room . Everyone at UAB encouraged and supported her throughout her journey . I recently learned that the person who took my mom ’ s vitals every morning when she was in the BMT unit at UAB would sing songs to encourage my mom and lift her spirits . She was surrounded by loving , positive and caring people .
She also got counseling . There was a time when my mom just didn ’ t want to eat anything at a point during her cancer treatment . It was a very challenging time for her , and she was depressed . My mom made an appointment to see a therapist and went to her first session . When my mom walked out of that first counseling session , she said that her stomach started rumbling and she was starving . She stopped at the first place she could find and got a cheeseburger , french fries and a Dr . Pepper – and loved it ! We have to make asking for help and seeking counseling a norm .
Q : Tell us about the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement , where you work . Why is this office a critical component to the O ’ Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center ?
A : The vision of the O ’ Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center is “ LIFE without cancer .” The Office of Community Outreach & Engagement ( COE ) is the cancer center ’ s trusted connection to communities with the highest burden of cancer and those most in need of cancer screening , treatment and other support . The only way to achieve “ LIFE without cancer ” is to lower the cancer burden in communities at highest risk . This is what we do in COE each and every day – literally .
COE staff and more than 400 community health advisors ( CHAs ) who live and work throughout Alabama and Mississippi are trusted members of their local communities . Our county coordinators and CHAs are the best messengers to promote cancer screenings , early detection , cancer prevention , and research opportunities and connect people to the services they need to reduce the burden of cancer .
Our office also provides authentic spaces for community members to truly engage with UAB clinicians and researchers face-to-face and virtually , which leads to the development of new priorities for the Cancer Center and other initiatives driven by the community .
Q : Your mother was a founding member of the Angel Squad , volunteers who provide hope and comfort to breast cancer patients . What sorts of messages did she share ?
A : My mom loved volunteering with the Angel Squad . Some messages that my mom shared with other breast cancer patients :
• First … breathe .
• Bring someone with you for support and to take notes during doctor visits .
• Get as much information as possible about your cancer diagnosis .
• Find something to do that makes you feel good during your cancer journey and after .
• You are not alone .
• You are getting the best cancer care at UAB .
• Lean on your faith , family and friends .
• Ask for help when you need it .
• And finally … hold on .
Francine Walton , MPH , has more than 25 years of experience in public health leadership . She received a B . S . in biology from Howard University and a Master of Public Health from Emory University . Prior to her current role as director of Outreach and Community Education with the O ’ Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center , Walton was the assistant health director for Population Health with Mecklenburg County Public Health in Charlotte , N . C .; deputy director of Cancer Programs for the Georgia Department of Public Health in Atlanta , Ga .; and served as a program director at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston , Texas . She has a passion for serving communities and advancing health equity through authentic community and stakeholder engagement .
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