Mississippi’s First Lady Deborah Bryant addressed a Brookhaven crowd Tuesday at the “Think Pink” luncheon for breast cancer awareness.

     True to the name, the room was packed full of pink-clad men and women, breast cancer survivors and their supporters to hear Bryant.

     Bryant described these supporters as “co-survivors” and emphasized their role in the cancer survivor’s journey.

     “Co-survivors provide much-needed emotional support,” Bryant said.

     Then, the first lady addressed the room’s co-survivors directly.

     “I want to thank you for the unique role you possess,” Bryant said. “You do make a difference.”

     Bryant can be counted among the ranks of co-survivors. The first lady’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time almost 15 years ago.

     “Thus began my journey as a co-survivor,” Bryant said.

     At Tuesday’s annual luncheon, Bryant discussed the importance of early detection of breast cancer through annual mammograms and monthly self-examinations. Breast cancer death statistics may be alarming, but don’t have to stay that way, the first lady said.

     “There’s no reason for that many people to die from breast cancer,” Bryant said. “If they catch it early, there’s so much they can do about it.”

     Speaking after the luncheon, Bryant said the significance of early detection and the effectiveness of treatments available now bring urgency to the task of increasing awareness of the disease.

     “There’s hope,” she said. “Cancer is not a death sentence anymore. You can pretty much live a normal life.”

     Bryant’s mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer after having her first mammogram at age 76.

     The diagnosis and subsequent treatment were hard to accept, because Bryant’s mother had always been very healthy. Bryant recalled the only time her mother spent in the hospital prior to her cancer diagnosis was to give birth.

     This year, Bryant’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer again at age 90. As before, though, surgery has been deemed successful and her mother continues to approach life with the gusto Bryant has come to expect.

     Since the first lady and her husband, Gov. Phil Bryant, assumed office this year, a new capacity for influence has opened up to Deborah Bryant. She served as this year’s honorary chair of the Susan G. Komen Central Mississippi Race for the Cure.

     Bryant said she’s excited to use her role of first lady as an opportunity to be a positive influence.

     “I want to make a difference all along the way,” Bryant said. “I’ll do anything I can do.”

     Bryant brings a long background in the hospital field to her task, with 37 years experience at Jackson’s St. Dominic Hospital.

     The luncheon, sponsored by the King’s Daughters Medical Center Foundation, typically hosts a cancer survivor as its main speaker, but this year invited Bryant to provide a co-survivor’s perspective. Brookhaven’s District 92 Rep. Becky Currie was instrumental in bringing Bryant to Brookhaven.

     “She was the first person I thought of,” said Currie.

     Following the luncheon, Bryant toured KDMC with the hospital’s CEO Alvin Hoover. She met with hospital staff and praised the facility as high quality.