LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Bellarmine employee known to students as "Nana" will be celebrated this Oaks after an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis led to a moment she never saw coming.
Sarah Colvin has worked in catering at Bellarmine for around 26 years. To students, she’s known as "Nana."
"They come and get hugs from me on a daily basis," Colvin said.
For one student, that name is literal. Her granddaughter, Lucie, is a junior.
"Sometimes she'll give me food too, so that's really nice," Lucie said.
This year, Colvin was invited to walk in the Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade — something she never expected.
"That’s front of house, I’m back of house, so…" Colvin said.
Colvin usually works behind the scenes at Oaks and Derby events, but this year she will be front and center, seen by thousands. She already picked out her dress and fascinator.
But getting to that moment wasn't easy.
Colvin’s job is demanding, with long days pushing heavy carts and walking miles on her feet. So when her chest felt sore, she brushed it off.
"I never thought, never thought the breast cancer thing," Colvin said.
She had no family history and felt no lump. Colvin stayed on top of her mammograms, but when her husband got sick, her health took a back seat.
She was at work when she got the call from her doctor.
"I called my husband, of course, said I got to do the event, and I'll be home later," Colvin said.
After surgery and months of radiation at Norton Healthcare, Colvin reached a milestone.
She is now cancer-free and can celebrate that during the parade May 1.
The Survivors Parade honors 150 breast and ovarian cancer survivors who will walk the Churchill Downs racetrack before the running of Kentucky Oaks.
Those closest to her said the recognition is well-deserved.
"She’s just a really special person," Lucie said.
According to Norton Healthcare, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and early detection is key to survival. Norton Healthcare said 99% of early-stage breast cancer patients survive at least five years, and mammograms are critical because they can detect cancer before symptoms appear.
Norton Healthcare also offers a Breast Cancer Health Risk Assessment, a brief questionnaire that helps women understand their risk and when they should begin screening.
Colvin hopes her story encourages other women to stay on top of their health and get annual mammograms.
"If I don’t take care of me, I won’t get to see all of them," Colvin said.
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