In 2001 Brenda Ladun felt something stirring within her body. One month later she discovered a lump in her breast and heard three words no one wants to hear—“You have cancer.”

The good news is Ladun is a survivor.

The month of October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Continuing to conquer cancer, she’s been in remission for the second time for six years. What got her through are three magnificent words that serve as a guide for most—faith, hope and love.

An award winning news anchor for Birmingham’s ABC 33/40, Ladun’s support team consists not only of her news family but also her three sons and husband of 26 years, Doug Bell.

“The Lord got me through cancer,” said Ladun. “He gave me a book too—The Bible.”

The month of October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Ladun was the guest speaker at the Brenda Newton Memorial Cancer Awareness Tea at Pell City’s Heritage Baptist Church.

Ladun attributed breast cancer survival to God’s provision, “Did you know there’s something in here (The Bible) for everything?”

Conveying to tea attendees that God provides, she said, “If there’s something you can’t handle give it up to the Lord. He’s given me the tools I need not just to get through cancer, but life. He sent people to help me and I truly believe we’re not here today by accident.”

She joked with the crowd adding, “How else would the shyest girl in the first grade end up on television?”

Calling on peace, patience and kindness as powerful communication tools, Ladun said these were the things that helped her get out of bed and put one foot in front of the other on her darkest days.

“One night at the hospital my body began to tremble and the nurse patted me on the back. At that moment I had to turn it over to God and He gave me courage through that nurse’s encouragement.”

Thinking back to the very beginning one of the toughest things she had to do was tell her boys.

“What do you give the people you love when you don’t know if you’re going to be there?” she asked the Heritage Baptist Church crowd. “Hope,” she answered.

Looking at a Bible verse, Proverbs 3:5-6, on her fridge after first being diagnosed, she felt reassured.

“Proverbs 3:5-6 says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will direct your paths,” said Ladun. “Trust was the first thing I learned. I learned a lot through cancer and it reaffirmed that prayer is very important.”

On a mission to make sure people understand the many ways they can kick cancer, Ladun said, “There’s a killer in the neighborhood and we’ve got to warn people. Cancer—it’s despicable.”

Citing her diagnosis as the worst day of her life and the most beautiful blessing all at the same time, she says it allowed her to release everything she was worried about (like losing her hair) and embrace the joy of life because everyday is a gift.

Optimistic about one day discovering a cure for cancer Ladun believes people have to take care of themselves first so they can take care of the people they love.

“We all have hope. I’d love to say one day on the news—we got it!”