Faith, Family, and Strength: Lashetia Dillard’s Journey with Breast Cancer

It all started with a simple moment at the kitchen table with her mom. After doing a self-check, Lashetia Dillard discovered a small lump in her breast. She discussed it with her mom and decided to wait before seeing a doctor, since she already had a routine mammogram scheduled for the following month. 

Not long after, on the morning of Wednesday, July 15, 2020, while working at the Fairfield Hotel, Dillard received a life-changing phone call. She had been diagnosed with invasive carcinoma—stage 2B breast cancer. 

In the very spot where her life changed, Lashetia Dillard stands where she first got the call about her cancer diagnosis.

As a wife and mother of three, her first concern was how her children would react to the news. But in that moment of fear and uncertainty, Dillard says God was already at work.

“On his way to get me, Lanajah pulled up at home that day, so she ended up getting in a truck with him coming up here. When they pulled up, Khadijah pulled up. Everybody pulled up at one time.”

Dillard started radiation therapy shortly after. She completed 30 rounds in six weeks. She would go in for treatment each morning before dropping her son, Kylan, off at school. Each session took about 10 minutes, but the emotional and physical toll lasted far longer.

Through it all, prayer became her foundation.

“I had an encounter with God during that time,” she says. “After praying, God spoke to me and let me know He had put me in this situation. This was our time.”

Her faith carried her through, but the experience changed her perspective.

“One thing I’ve taken from this journey is to appreciate life more,” Dillard said. “Everybody’s story is different. You see so many people who don’t make it… So I’m just grateful for life, because it could have been so different.”

This month marks five years of being cancer-free. Dillard says support has played a crucial role and continues to.

“There will be days when you’re up, and days when you’re down. But having good support makes all the difference. You need someone to lean on, someone to cry to. Every day won’t be a good day. Even after treatment, the body still goes through changes. It’s never going to be the same again. You just have to stay strong in your faith and keep going.”

Dillard is now a passionate advocate for self-checks and body awareness. 

“I’m a firm believer in doing self-checks and being in tune with your body. If you notice changes, go get checked. It’s better to know early than not know at all.”

And if there’s one message she wants others to walk away with, it’s this:

“Keep the faith. Stay strong always. Don’t give up on God—because He’s not giving up on us.”

Dillard says that if she could describe her journey with a song, it would be "God's Grace."

5 years later, she's standing strong. Photo Location: Fair Park (Tupelo,MS)