Hi, my name is Cheron. You may have heard me on the radio. I started my career on Power 96.5 in my hometown of Lansing MI. I moved to Detroit to report traffic on 97.9 WJLB. I hosted the Quiet Storm and ended up hosting Middays for several years. I am now the Program Director and Midday talent on Mix 92.3. For over 20 years I have dedicated my career to being a companion to my listeners, encouraging them to be great, and sharing personal stories that relate to them. Never in a million years did I think I would share something so life changing.

 

I have always been good about going to the doctor. I have never missed an annual appointment. So, when I turned 40 in 2018, I scheduled my very first mammogram. It was set for March, a month after my birthday. Life happened and I cancelled the appointment. Not because I was scared to go, I was just that much unconcerned. It took my dear Mother to say to me, “Cheron, just go in. It’s nothing”. So, I rescheduled for the next month. I went in and like my Mother said, it was nothing…until it was something.

 

A couple days later I received a call from my doctor that something was not right, and they wanted me to come in for a follow up exam, a 3-D mammogram. I was told, in my initial appointment, that I could get called back due to it being my first mammogram because there was no baseline. So, I remained faithful and went back in. This time was totally different. Following the exam, the technician told me to stay in the exam room. I was alone, wrapped in a hospital robe, sitting in a cold, dark, sterile room. I was scared. Then the radiologist walked in the room and said they could not explain what they were seeing and that it would require a biopsy. They happened to have an opening that afternoon, so I took it.

 

Days later, I was hosting a pre-sale event for the kick-off of the then Chene Park Concert Series. It was a rainy Saturday. I looked at my phone and there were two missed calls from my doctor. I knew why they were calling. I went to my car to return the call. My doctor said she was sorry to inform me that it was confirmed from the biopsy that I had Breast Cancer and would need surgery. Just like that my life changed. I was a Wife, Mother of a 2 ½ year old son and 9-month-old daughter, and now about to enter the fight of my life. I got in my car and drove away, crying in the rain.

 

I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), which is considered the earliest form of Breast Cancer. It was Stage 0/non-invasive. I had always heard that early detection is key, so I was grateful that I listened to my Mother and went in. It was 6-weeks of recovery following my surgery, but I am so grateful to say I am now cancer-free!

 

A year later, I launched Cheron’s Sheroes with a pillow giveaway because they were so critical in my recovery.  Cheron’s Sheroes’ with the following mission “Celebrating the SUPERHERO inside of you, providing Women with support during their Breast Cancer treatment.  The goal of the organization is to assist patients with critical needs including house cleaning, food delivery, child-care, transportation to treatments, medical supplies, and assistance with medical bills.

 

I am a living testimony that early detection is key! I have added purpose to my life! I will continue to share my story and encourage Women facing this life changing diagnosis and offer them hope for the future!