By John Wilkerson
FOXSportsSouth.com
January 19, 2011
Following the 2008-09 college basketball season Jessica Breland�s basketball career was zooming.
She had just completed her junior season with the Tar Heels averaging 14.5 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game, which was the best in the ACC and ranked seventh in the NCAA.
Establishing herself as one of the best all-around players in college basketball, Breland expected to be mentioned in every player of the year list with her senior season approaching.
That spring Breland developed a sore throat, night sweats and chest pain. Over the counter medication took care of the latter but the sore throat persisted and she was becoming more fatigued during workouts.
After a routine trip to her doctor, Breland received sobering news. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
"At first I was stunned." Breland said. "I felt healthy. I was 22 years old and a college athlete and I just felt like cancer was something I would never see."
The National Cancer Institute defines Hodgkin's Lymphoma as a cancer of the immune system. Breland's symptoms of night sweats and fatigue were consistent with diagnosing the disease. Hearing the word cancer though was a shock.
"After the doctor told me that, it took a little time to digest." Breland said. "After a while it set in and I was just like wow, my life is about to change."
For the foreseeable future basketball would be put on hold and Breland began treatments to fight the disease immediatly.
"It all happened in a week's span where I got a biopsy done, a port installed, bone marrow done and then I got chemo." Breland said.
The North Carolina women's basketball family is a tight knit group. Once word got out about Breland's cancer diagnosis shock gave way to what can they do.
"I've been coaching for 36 years and I never had a player with cancer." North Carolina head coach Sylvia Hatchell said. "Things happen, knees blow out but you are like o.k. we can get over this. You�re not sure with the situation with cancer."
The Tar Heels rallied around Jessica Breland and provided the much needed support to get her through the treatments.
"Someone was with her for every treatment." Hatchell said. "Her teammates just put their arms around her and gave her support and that is what a family is supposed to do."
"They definitely pushed me." Breland said. "Without them I don't think I would have made it."
According to statistics compiled by the National Cancer Institute, the overall survival rate for Hodgkin�s Lymphoma is 84.7% and medical breakthroughs have contributed to Hodgkin's Lymphoma becoming highly treatable.
Breland's last chemo-therapy treatment was on October 23rd, 2009. However, the treatments had sapped her strength and stamina and she was red-shirted for the 2009-10 season.
With Jessica watching from the bench the Tar Heels struggled especially during the ACC season. North Carolina failed to win 20 games for the first time since 1995-96 season finishing 19-12 overall and 6-8 in the ACC, North Carolina's first losing season in the conference since 1991.
"I think it was more tough to watch my team struggle and not being able to go out there." Breland said. "It was real tough to watch them go through the pain of losing."
After an early NCAA first round exit at the hands of Gonzaga, the black cloud of cancer that had affected Jessica and dampened North Carolina�s mood was lifting. Breland was back on the floor last February and starting the long road back to regain her game.
Breland had two dates on the calendar that were special. The first was October 23rd, her one-year anniversary of ending her chemo treatments.
The second was November 12th, North Carolina's season opener against North Florida. In 21 minutes of playing time, Breland scored 8 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
While basketball remains important to Jessica Breland, her passion now is to help kids who are affected by cancer. Breland began the "Comeback For Kids" fund in association with the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer center to provide support for cancer research and treatment at UNC's pediatric oncology program.
Last November, Jessica's foundation was kicked off with the "Rhinestones and Rebounds", a gala that raised $57,200.
"This is a way to kickoff her spirit in giving back to all the kids at the Lineberger Cancer Center." Hatchell said. "She loves children, she loves giving back. What a sweet spirit she has."
On the court Breland has picked up where she left off. She's averaging double figures in points 13.1, second on the team. Breland leads the team in rebounds averaging 7.7 per game, seventh in the ACC but hasn�t lost her tenacity challenging the shooter. Breland is second in the ACC in blocked shots with 33.
"It's a tremendous blessing to have her back and she is probably the best she has ever been." Hatchell said.
Jessica Breland is indeed blessed.
