Alice Bang Sims has lived in Pell City for most of her life. She loves movies and decorating. She’s a fervent advocate for Ribbons of Hope. She’s also a breast cancer survivor.

In December of 2002, a customer where Alice was working kept pestering her to get a mammogram. When Alice finally made that appointment, the mammogram found a lump in her right breast. She said the lump was so deep in her right breast, doctors were not sure whether it was in her breast or her chest. She was only 48 years old.

She first had a lumpectomy and found out her cancer was a “Triple Negative Breast Cancer.” (TNBC) TNBC is one of the less common forms of breast cancer, comprising15-20 percent of all breast cancers.  This type of cancer means that the three most common types of receptors known to fuel most breast cancer growth–estrogen, progesterone and the HER-2/neu gene– are not present in the tumor. TNBC is one of the more aggressive forms of breast cancer, and five-year survival rates are lower than for other breast cancers.

However, if Alice’s TNBC was a more aggressive form of cancer, her doctors were equally aggressive in the treatment. There are few treatment options outside of chemotherapy, and Alice was subjected to three different chemotherapies three days a week for four weeks. She then had nine weeks of radiation. 

After her lumpectomy, Alice continued to have problems with that breast. Because of that, because the testing each December was nerve wracking and because the chances of the cancer recurring are higher with TNBC, she chose to have a double mastectomy five years later.

When I asked Alice what advice she would give women about breast cancer, she said, “Get that yearly mammogram. And look for studies. Regardless of the type of cancer, you have nothing to lose by taking part in the studies.”

Alice is a fighter, and I’m fairly certain cancer found a worthy opponent in her. She beat the odds and has been cancer free for almost 16 years. Her doctors finally released her in 2012. But each year, during October, she shaves her head. Her daughter hates seeing her shave her head because it reminds her of how sick her mother was from the chemo. However, Alice has her own reasons for doing that. She said,  “Shaving my head is my way of thumbing my nose at chemo. Chemo took it away. Now I’m in control!”

Although Alice didn’t have a first degree relative with breast cancer (sister, mother, daughter), her mother’s aunt died from breast cancer. Now that she has had breast cancer, she makes sure her daughter gets regular mammograms.

Alice is a strong advocate and supporter of “Ribbons of Hope.” She said “Ribbons of Hope has shown me how generous and giving people can be. The president of that organization, Pat Hogge, is one of the most compassionate people I have ever met. She’s so selfless.”

When Alice shaves her head, she tries to get people to sponsor me. I’m also an ambassador for “Be Bold Be Bald.” They are a nation-wide organization that “goes bald” on the third Friday in October. On that Friday, women “go bald,” either by shaving their head or wearing a skull cap.  Alice says, “I have never been one to do things halfway. I’ll shave my head this year just as I always do.”

She also feels that people need to be informed about Ribbons of Hope. Raising money is a year-round thing for them. They help as many people as they possibly can, but they can’t help if there are no funds.

So, let me introduce you to Alice Bang Sims. The picture is of Alice with her two grandsons. She says, “these boys are why I do what I do. May they or their loved ones never know the horror of this murderer.” If you see her around Pell City this month, you may recognize her. She’s the cancer survivor with the bald head.”