Every journey begins somewhere, and for many, the battle with breast cancer starts with a routine check-up that turns their world upside down. They never would imagine or even think to hear the words “You have breast cancer,” come out of the doctor’s mouth but one day, that became their reality. 

Center Hill High School’s Nutrition and Wellness teacher Angel Pilcher was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2024. Since then, she’s undergone endocrine therapy and two surgeries, and she plans to start chemotherapy in the next couple of weeks. On October 17th, the CHHS family took on the responsibility for Pilcher’s farm while she was out.

A week later, students and teachers gathered to support Pilcher by wearing all pink and breast cancer awareness shirts to show support for Pilcher and anyone else affected by the disease.  

Pilcher felt a whirlwind of emotions as she states “My breast cancer journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, from fear and uncertainty to moments of gratitude and hope. I focus on faith, maintaining a routine, incorporating rest, and staying connected with family and friends. Sewing and needlework have also helped me manage stress and anxiety.” 

Strength in Numbers 

Pilchers support network railed around her, offering comfort and strength, Pilcher goes more into details as she states “My family and close friends have been an incredible source of strength. Their emotional support, along with their help with everyday tasks, has allowed me to focus on my health without feeling overwhelmed.”    

With each passing day, Pilcher found small victories to celebrate. She states, “Any good news from my doctors, whether it was positive progress in my treatment or test results, felt like a victory. It gave me hope and helped me stay motivated through the tougher days.”

These moments of hope fueled her determination. She began to appreciate the simple joys in life, she states “My diagnosis has taught me the importance of being present. I used to spend so much time planning for the future, but now I try to appreciate each day as it comes and find joy in the little things.” 

As Pilcher goes through her treatment, she has learned a lot of valuable lessons about resilience, love, and just the importance of living life in the present compared to living in the future, she states “My priorities have shifted, leading me to invest more time in meaningful relationships. I’ve learned to focus on quality over quantity, cherishing time spent with those who matter most.”

Some advice Pilcher would give to someone that has been diagnosed with breast cancer is “Lean on family, friends, or support groups whenever you need. Having people to talk to, share concerns with, or even just distract you can make a huge difference.”     

“The emotional ups and downs have been a real challenge. There are moments of fear, frustration, and even loneliness, even when surrounded by supportive people. The uncertainty of it all, waiting for test results, wondering how my body will respond to treatments, has been incredibly challenging. It’s hard to plan for anything, and the waiting periods create a lot of anxiety.” This quote explains some of Pilchers biggest challenges she’s been facing throughout her journey.     

Breast cancer is a complex disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The impact of breast cancer is profound and complicated, affecting not only the individual diagnosed but it also affects their family and community. CHHS has shown tons of support by having a day dedicated to just breast cancer. This is not the 1st time the school has dealt with staff battling breast cancer. Former journalism teacher Ginny Shikle was diagnosed back in 2019. Both believe the Mustang family has gone all out to make sure they’ve felt supported through their journey.  

Raising awareness helps support those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and helps other people understand how much of a risk breast cancer is, guiding them to act. CHHS isn’t the only support Pilcher has but she also has support from the community and together it’s been a huge help throughout Pilcher’s journey.