SURVIVING AND THRIVING: His Sister’s Breast Cancer Was A Hard Hit for NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith

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By Sylvia Dunnavant Hines

“It was scary, concerning, and shocking,” said National Football League (NFL) Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, regarding his sister’s breast cancer diagnosis.

Holding the rushing records for the NFL, former running back Smith has taken a lot of hits in his 15-season career as a professional football player. Yet, nothing prepared him for the impact of the hit upon hearing the news.

“When I first found out that she had breast cancer, I was like most people, a little shocked and concerned. At first, I was struggling to try to understand the depth of what we had to deal with. We knew that it was immediate, but it was still going to be a process,” said Smith.

Smith admits that his emotions ran the gamut from frustration to fear.

According to a recent study by Science Direct, the family, not just the patient, experiences the crisis and impact of cancer. This includes emotional strain, uncertainty, fear of the patient dying, and concern about finances due to medical costs.

“I think the initial surprise was because nobody in our family had breast cancer or any kind of cancer, period,” said Smith. “Then it was a big concern knowing how serious that cancer really is for a lot of people and that cancer has taken out so many people.”

According to breastcancer.org, about 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These diagnoses occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.

“My mind was overwhelmed with questions. Where are we in this process? What stage was she in? What does she have to deal with? Then there was a major concern regarding how we are going to get through this. What is it that I need to do to help and assist her? What is it that we all can do to help and assist? Who is the best doctor? Can we get her to someone that I may know or people that she knows? These were all things that were going through my mind as I contemplated the next steps that our family needed to take regarding my sister’s care,” recalled Smith.

Marsha Smith Hill had a routine that she deviated from.

“Normally my routine is to do my yearly examination with my OB/GYN. The year prior to going to her in 2010, I missed my appointment. I was dealing with a hyperactive thyroid issue,” she said. “The following year, I went to her for my annual check-up.

She gave me my pink slip to go and get my annual mammogram. I went and got my mammogram, and they noticed that something was there.”

Several tests and follow-up doctor visits later revealed the one thing that Hill was not prepared to hear – she had breast cancer. Once Hill received the news, she admits the first person she tried to reach was her younger brother.

“When I initially found out what was going on, Emmitt was the first person that I called,” said Hill. “In the process of trying to hear what the doctor was saying, even though I was listening, I wasn’t hearing what he was saying. I called Emmitt, but I wasn’t able to reach him. Then I called my sister-in-law Pat. But I wasn’t able to reach her either. It was then that I heard the voice of the Lord speak to me in a soft voice and say `put up your phone, I am here.’”

Although the next few months would prove to be challenging, Hill relied on her inner spiritual strength. With prayer, faith, and the help of her family and co-workers, she successfully came through her surgery and follow-up treatments. She has now been cancer free for over 10 years.

“I have learned so many valuable lessons through this process. My main word of encouragement to women going through breast cancer is that cancer is not a death sentence – it is a life-calling. Over the last few decades, there have been a lot of breakthroughs in technology and medicine. Personally, I know that breast cancer can be beaten, and I am a prime example of that fact,” said Hill.

According to recent statistics from the American Cancer Society, African American women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer even though their incidence rates are similar or lower than those of White women. Black women also have a lower five-year survival rate.

Smith, who had been a large focus of his family’s attention during his football career, was suddenly forced to be on the sidelines as his family supported his sister during her journey with breast cancer.

“You are watching someone address a major health issue. I have had to address issues in sports, but nothing of this magnitude that could mean life or death,” said Smith. “Life and death situations are completely different from a win or lose situation in a ball game. Seeing her not only take courage but walk in that power was encouraging to me.”

Hill will be the Kickoff Coach for the 21st Sister to Sister Fitness Festival on October 1st at the Alan E. Sims Cedar Hill Recreation Center, 310 E. Parkerville Road, Cedar Hill, Texas 75104. Further information regarding this event is available at www.celebratinglife.org.