Deanna Favre never thought she'd be one of the many notable faces of breast cancer, but after her diagnosis, she's been front and center, telling her story.
Saturday Favre spoke to some of the almost 80 people attending The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Hope Conference at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Favre, founder of the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation, is wife of New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre, and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. Her autobiography is titled "Don't Bet Against Me: Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer and in Life."
She said her family's tribulations helped her realize she needed to be a voice to others.
"It wasn't my plan to be on stage," she said. "It was definitely His plan."
Other sessions included a discussions with oncologists, pain management doctors and pharmacists about diagnosis, treatment and care.
Saturday's events were free, said Fran Mobley, patient services manager for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Mississippi.
Favre and Shane Stanford also talked about spirituality through a physical illness.
Stanford, ministry leader/host of "The United Methodist Hour," was diagnosed with HIV at age 16.
"An illness not only affects your body, but it affects your soul," Stanford said. "Your body can only handle so much, but what happens to your psyche? What happens to your soul?"
LaTonya Oliver of Taylorsville talks with her daughters about cancer. Her grandmother died from ovarian cancer, and she has an aunt who survived breast cancer. The day's events taught her more.
"I learn more every time I come to events like this," she said. "Because my family has that history, I talk to my daughters because I want them to be prepared."
Mobley said the conference wants to educate cancer survivors and family members about the process so they can advocate for their care better.
"We want them to know to explore their treatment options," Mobley said. "They'll understand more about spirituality, their treatment options and how diversity plays a part in it. Hopefully they will leave empowered and realize they can make a difference in their treatment."
Keynote speaker for the day was Beverly Smallwood, psychologist at the Hope Center in Hattiesburg and author of "This Wasn't Supposed to Happen to Me."
Smallwood said instead of sulking in your problems, there are three keys for having hope. They are: Find the blessings in your situation; take responsibility in your situation; and seize the hope in the situation.
"You must recognize that you can't always have control," she said. "It's all about the power of choice. The worst of circumstances can bring out the best in you."
By La TONYA FRELIX