Sydney Simmons Breast Cancer Treatment Expenses

My name is Scarlett Brand and this beautiful soul is my daughter Sydney Simmons who was recently diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer right before her 25th birthday. If you've met and spent any amount of time with my girl, then chances are you have made a wonderful friend for life and love her as much as we all do! For those who don't know her, she's always been someone who looks for opportunities to help others in need, always ready with an encouraging word to brighten someone's day or a joke to lighten the mood!

Even with medical insurance, the cost of her treatment over the next year is staggering. The hope is that this fundraiser will provide only a portion of Syd's medical expenses, so she can focus on her health and healing for the next several months. She chose to write something below to announce her diagnosis, and it sums up who I've always known her to be. After reading, if you feel compelled to give, OR...if you don't have the means to do so at this time, know that Syd and our entire family are eternally grateful for every prayer and every act of kindness and compassion extended to us as we walk with her through this, and fight the GOOD fight...TOGETHER!

Exactly one month ago on October 24th 2022, I found a large mass on my breast. 2 weeks later on Friday, November 4th, I received the call that no one wants and heard the words I never imagined I would at 24 years old – “you have breast cancer.” On November 18th, I began chemotherapy. To treat the nature of my triple-negative breast cancer most effectively and aggressively, I will complete 6 months of chemotherapy, followed by a mastectomy and 25 sessions of radiation. All in all, I am trusting and believing that I will be completely HEALED and WHOLE at the end of this journey.

While this is not how I imagined year 25 would be, I am grateful God blessed me to see another year. I know this year will be one of challenges, ups and downs, but ultimately, a journey that is victorious. A journey that will lead to a testimony not solely for me, but for others. A journey that has already taught me the lesson of how precious life is and how quickly EVERYTHING can change. A journey that will guide my footsteps and voice for the rest of my life. This journey is not a secret so I ask that when you pray, call me by name and tell all your praying warriors to do the same; I need my name uplifted in rooms I may never walk in. As Matthew 18:19 reads, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Thank you to my fiancé, family, friends, Sorors, doctors, and nurses for holding me down and accepting to walk this journey with me. I am forever grateful and truly blessed, and have peace in knowing I have your love and support.

I pray you all take a moment to give thanks for everything, tell your loved ones how much you love them, and listen to your bodies. Several studies suggest that being premenopausal or Black increase your risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer. Among Black women who develop breast cancer, there is an estimated 20 to 40 percent chance of the cancer being triple-negative. I urge ALL women, especially my Black Queens to not wait and get your mammograms now. Life is too precious, and you are your best advocate. I promise I will advocate and fight with you.

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” ― Maya Angelou