Cecil Elizabeth Hammett is an honor student at Huntsville High School. On June 23, 2015, Cecil was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN with Anaplastic Large Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. A thief in the night was trying to steal her life. Cecil frequently says “I did not choose cancer. It chose me. Looking at who I am after going through cancer and who I was before cancer, I would not give up my cancer. Cancer made me a better, stronger and more appreciative person. I do not take one day or any person I love for granted. I feel gratitude to God each morning when I wake up. “ She has fought the battle without complaining. She has given many keynote addresses for many different organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society, the LLS, Bosom Buddies and several church groups. She is the LLS Girl of the Year as well as a national (25 chosen) Hero of Hope for the American Cancer Society.
She has spoken on many radio and TV shows. Cecil plans to be a physician. Her passion is to encourage kids who have cancer as well as speak for fundraising events for cancer research. She tells people openly that in 1994 her aggressive type of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma had no cure and would have been a death sentence. Today the cure rate for her type of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma is 70%. She is very grateful for cancer research, and she is in remission now. As stated earlier, she would not give up her cancer. It was life changing in a fabulous way even though it was a very cruel time while going through chemo and many surgeries. She is very grateful for her Chemo Girls™ Hair Extensions and feels that they also are a gift from God.
