In the Spring of 2018, during a routine screening, Geraldine was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although her cancer was caught at an early stage, she was still shocked.  

Geraldine and her husband serve as Missionary Pastors of the Lighthouse Assembly of God on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Bylas, Arizona. In her community, not many people engage in preventative health screenings or have easy access to treatment centers. Because of this, people often receive a diagnosis of cancer when it is in a more advanced stage. People expect a diagnosis to be followed by deteriorating health and an eventual loss of life. Many times, a person won’t even seek treatment.

Due to Geraldine’s work in a small health clinic in Bylas and her knowledge about the importance of preventative care, she regularly attended recommended routine health screenings and it was at one of these screenings that her cancer was detected in an early, treatable stage.

Immediately after diagnosis, Geraldine turned to prayer. In her prayer, she asked, “Do I have the privilege and honor to say something about this (having cancer)?” Upon hearing a “Yes,” she declared, “I don’t want this cancer.” She immediately felt a huge sense of calm, and knew that she would not have cancer for long.

The feeling was very vivid, and she remembers every detail of where she was and how she felt at the moment it washed over her. It gave her the courage to go out of what might be considered the normal comfort zone for her community. She decided to get the best treatment she could find.

She sought help from the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation (SCAHC). “They have been on top of this situation from day one,” said Geraldine. The main hospital, in Peridot, referred her to the Ironwood Cancer Center in Chandler and a social worker at SCACH connected her with Editha House. The members of the Tribal Council offered to help cover the cost of her trip and expenses while in Phoenix.

“A lot of people don’t have hope about recovering from cancer”, Geraldine shared, “so they don’t even think about what they can do to recover or protect their health.” She believes that it was her hope in God that drove her to find a way to get the treatment she needed.

“People need to get out of their comfort zone,” shared Geraldine’s daughter, Vernalyn, who accompanied Geraldine to Phoenix as her caregiver. She agreed with her mother that many people don’t seek treatment for their diseases and not just people with cancer. “It is not comfortable to be here (in Phoenix)”, she shared. “It is a different place. But when other people—family members and loved ones—are counting on you, you have to get up and take care of your health anyways. It is a responsibility.”

Geraldine does not like to talk about herself and was reluctant to share her story. But she is very grateful to her community who supported her throughout her journey. She hopes that through sharing her story, other people will believe that they too can get help, and never give up hope.