Warriors honor cancer survivors and fighters

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, said general counsel attorney and mother of three, Janna Nugent. 

Janna, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer herself, compared this number to what some may experience after getting a new car: suddenly everyone on the road has the same car because they weren’t focused on it until owning one.

“I feel like I’ve had a similar experience with breast cancer now that I am battling this disease,” she said. “Almost everyone I meet knows someone [who has battled breast cancer], has a family member [who has] or has battled the disease themselves. And it really is a community of fighters who are supportive of each other and who are trying to educate the community that this could happen to you too. 

On Feb. 28, Oconee County High School had pink-out soccer games to honor those who are battling or survived breast cancer. They honored Janna for her ongoing battle and other attendees between the girls’ soccer game at 5:30 p.m. and the boys’ soccer game at 7:30 p.m.

Her husband, Steve Nugent, made a $3,000 donation to the Tyanna Foundation with proceeds from the sale of the pink T-shirts and sweatshirts worn to the game.

The Royal Peasant served “tacos ala mexicana” and sausage hoagies at the game with their proceeds also going to the Tyanna Foundation.

OCHS Teacher and Head Boy’s Soccer Coach Chris Romano said Steve and Janna give a lot of themselves and their time to the community and that it was great for their family to receive support.

Foundation

The Tyanna Foundation was named in honor of Tyanna Barre O’Brien who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1990 at 48 years old. According to Tyanna.org, it was formed by her daughters Anne, Bridget, Megan, Sara and Kate. “Since its inception in 1999, the Tyanna Foundation has worked tirelessly, increasing awareness and generating money for breast cancer research, services, education, treatment and patient care for local breast cancer patients and survivors,” According to Tyanna.org

After moving to the area in 2008, Janna said Steve became involved with BreastFest, a fundraiser for local breast cancer prevention and services, with 10 pecent of proceeds going to the Tyanna Foundation and the remaining 90 percent going to St. Mary’s Women’s Imaging Center in Athens.

“Through his involvement, I was able to also meet survivors and meet families who have been affected by the disease,” Janna said. “I wanted to understand what they had been through. But there was a certain separation because I hadn’t experienced it [having breast cancer] myself.” 

“The whole idea of one in eight,” Janna said. “That really is the message, that this disease is going to affect our families, our friends and our community. We need to be proactive in doing all we can to make sure that the tests that are available are utilized.” 

Janna said that Oconee County feels small when something happens to a community member, and everyone rallies around that person. 

“Whether it’s Oconee County High School, the administration, the athletic department, the staff members, the students, people I’ve never met out here wearing pink, I can’t help but to feel supported and loved by these people,” she said. “It’s the little things that are the big things, and this community has been incredible to my family.”