EATONTON, Ga. — Pam Alford is a survivor. 

Now, in addition to that title, she can add change-agent to her resume as well.

In 2017, Alford noticed a shadow on her chest. She knew something was wrong so she kept a close eye on it.

“I made an appointment with the doctor, and he said he had never seen anything like it. I went in for a diagnostic mammogram and on Sept. 29, 2017, he told me I had cancer,” the breast cancer survivor said.

Not only did Alford learn she had breast cancer, but she also found out it was inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a rare form of breast cancer that progresses rapidly, often in a matter of weeks or months. She said she did a lot of research to find a specialist because she wanted someone who could handle such an aggressive form of the disease. 

“I found about Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Atlanta that specializes in this type of cancer, so naturally that’s where I wanted to go,” Alford said. “I then found out they couldn’t take me because of the Georgia law, so the hope kind of drained out of me.”

That law required that at least 65 percent of the hospitals’ patients had to be from out of state, and at the time, Alford learned that they were not accepting any more Georgia residents.

That’s when she did more research and discovered a Speak Now Georgia group on Facebook. She told them about her experience and how she was unable to get treatment where she wanted to get it. 

She said a few days later, she received a phone call.

“We had friends calling the legislature and reposting about my experience on Facebook. We really went after it. It’s just not right because I just wanted to go to this center in Georgia,” she said.

Alford said she had to start treatment immediately, so she had to do it locally at several different offices. She said those places weren’t where she wanted treatment, but she had no choice at the time.

The breast cancer survivor said she finally got into Cancer Treatment Centers of America, thanks to the passage of House Bill 186. The law removes limits on Georgia Certificates of Need so more Georgia patients can receive care. 

Alford assisted in removing the cap on the number of Georgia patients Cancer Treatment Centers of America can treat.

She said it wouldn’t have been possible without her sharing her story and others doing the same. 

“No one else in Georgia will ever have to go through what I went through,” the breast cancer survivor said. “I gave my personal story and we all went as a family. I wanted them to see this is a real human wanting to live.”

In September 2018, Alford completed chemo and radiation treatment nearly a year after her original diagnosis. Now, she takes chemo pills and visits her care team at CTCA for regularly scheduled check-ups.

Alford said she hasn’t always lived in Eatonton, but she has visited Lake Sinclair for as long as she can remember. She said in 1975, her parents built a home in Eatonton, which she’s fortunate enough to call home.

“I love a small town. I grew up in Monroe, so a small town, to me, is just right up my alley,” she said. “I’m a lake person, so I’m always out here fishing, boating and swimming. I just love Lake Sinclair.”

She said through her experience, she tries to enjoy every moment and appreciate life more. She said she thanks the Lord for each day and realizes that life is truly a gift.

“You have to just hold your head up high. I fought a rough battle, so now my problems are just my war scars,” she said.

The cancer survivor said she wants to make people aware of breast cancer and to never lose hope. She said women have to look for other signs beyond just lumps. She said to look for discoloration and heaviness, then see a doctor should there be any cause for concern.

“You have to be proactive because it can be deadly,” Alford said. “You have to be your biggest advocate and you have to fight for you. Keep fighting.”