Fighting Forward

By Hanna Allen
Photos by Kelsea Schafer, Anna Grace Moore & Contributed

Jill Carter was 40 years old — in the thick of motherhood, raising three boys with her husband Brent — when she found a lump during a morning shower.

“I waited a couple of weeks to see if it would change, and it didn’t,” Jill says. “So, I called my doctor.”

She had no family history of breast cancer. There is no reason to expect the diagnosis that came next: Stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer — an aggressive form that doesn’t respond to hormone therapy and often spreads faster than other types.

“It was a total shock,” Jill says. “We were busy raising kids. Our boys were 6, 9 and 15 at the time. Cancer wasn’t even on the radar. But when I heard those words, I started to fight.”

That fight lasted more than three years and included seven surgeries, 24 chemotherapy infusions and 63 rounds of radiation.

“My parents helped with everything,” Jill says. “My mom took me to treatment. My dad took the boys on field trips and to ball practices. Brent went with me to every appointment and was especially there for me in the beginning. He took notes. We made every decision together. It was overwhelming at times, but I wasn’t alone.”

Jill was treated at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, surrounded by what she describes as “a phenomenal team” — oncologists, nurse advocates and specialists who collaborated on every step of her care. Still, the days were long, the emotions were unpredictable and the future was uncertain.

“There were days I felt low,” she says. “And that’s okay — but I didn’t want to stay there. I tried to find joy where I could. I leaned on my faith. I leaned on the community.”

Her church stepped in with meals, cards and constant prayer. Friends sent texts and little gifts. Classmates of her sons brought their families’ support.

“To me, those were like God’s hands lifting me up,” she says. “It gave me strength I didn’t even know I had.”

Triple-negative breast cancer, unlike other types, does not have receptors for estrogen, progesterone or the HER2 protein. That means treatment options are limited and often more aggressive.

At the time of Jill’s diagnosis, 17 years ago, there were no targeted therapies for her subtype.

“It was scary to realize none of the usual treatments would work,” she says. “But I had a great team, and we stayed optimistic.”

It wasn’t until a few years after finishing treatment that Jill started to feel as though she had turned a corner.

“I’ve been cancer-free for 13 years,” she says. “But even now, I get checked every six months to a year. It’s part of my life, but cancer is not what defines me.”

Today, Jill is a survivor, a grandmother and an advocate. She now serves on the board of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.

Founded in 1996 by breast cancer survivor Dolly O’Neal and Bruce Sokol, the BCRFA seeks to eradicate the disease by partnering with the nation’s best breast cancer researchers, in order to find and fund cures for all different types of breast cancer. Today, the nonprofit has invested more than $16 million in Alabama-based, lifesaving research for breast cancer.

Jill’s connection to the BCRFA began through a golf tournament.

“A former coworker who had also battled breast cancer invited Brent to play in the Drive-Out Breast Cancer event,” she says. “We started learning more about the foundation and were blown away.”

Through the foundation, Jill learned that one in eight women and one in 833 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Even if one has no family history of the disease, she or he can still be affected.

In December 2024, the foundation awarded $1.125 million to support 22 research projects at seven partner institutions statewide.

“While the investment is local, the impact is global,” says Rachel Beatty, BCRFA’s marketing and communications coordinator. “Our locally focused grant dollars provide funding for the most promising and innovative ideas, helping researchers secure the necessary data to successfully apply for larger grants from national funders like the National Institute of Health. On average, BCRFA funds have a greater than 10-to-one return on investment.”

Some of those funds have explicitly gone toward the subtype Jill battled.

“BCRFA has funded over 30 research projects focusing on triple-negative breast cancer,” Rachel says. “Outcomes for this type of aggressive and hard-to-treat cancer have greatly improved in recent years because of research.”

Jill’s family has grown alongside her advocacy. Her son Ryan is now married to Megan Carter — a young mother who lost her mom to breast cancer. Megan now serves as president of BCRFA’s junior board.

“She’s amazing,” Jill says. “She’s continuing the fight in honor of her mom and for all the women out there.”

Jill’s story is one of resilience and action. She hopes women, and men, will take away one message from her experience: Be your own health advocate.

“Don’t ignore your body,” she says. “Get your mammograms. Ask questions. If something doesn’t feel right, follow up. Early detection is one of the best tools we have.”

Today, Jill is 57. Her sons — Ryan, Austin and Colby — are grown, and she has two grandchildren. This year, she watched her youngest son graduate college.

Her journey, once dominated by fear and fatigue, now pulses with gratitude.

“I appreciate the small things more now,” she says. “I appreciate growing older. I’m thankful to be a grandma and see my family grow. It’s all a gift.”

She also wants people to know that breast cancer is not a solo fight and that anyone can help, whether by donating, volunteering or simply showing up.

“There’s hope over fear,” she says. “And that’s what the BCRFA gives people. Real hope.”

To learn more about the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama or how to get involved, visit bcrfa.org.

Know the Signs

Early detection saves lives. Read on to learn several signs of breast cancer and what to do if you believe you may be affected:

Symptoms to Look For:

A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Redness, scaliness or flakiness around the nipple or breast
Nipple discharge (especially if bloody or spontaneous)
Nipple turning inward or changes in appearance
Breast pain that doesn’t go away

Where to Get Checked Out:

Talk to your doctor: Your primary care provider or OB-GYN can guide you based on age, family history and personal risk.
Free screenings: The Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (ABCCEDP) offers free breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for eligible women across the state.
Participate in research: Women ages 40–74 with no history of breast cancer can join the WISDOM Study through UAB. The study tests a personalized approach to screening and prevention. Learn more here.