Cancer Survivor Relates Inspiring Journey to Church

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – “I was still, just completely still.”

Carol Johnson-Cromer relayed these words to around 20 women Saturday morning, inside the 77 year old, Pentecostal Soul Saving Station Church of God in Christ (COGIC.) It was a very profound reaction the then 38 year old had experienced the first time she learned she had cancer. After a chance event, feeling a lump in her left breast, her mounting fear was confirmed by a biopsy, whose results were revealed by a tear-filled doctor. It was at that moment that the empowering stillness, full presence blossomed. Guided by her unwavering faith and strength to keep moving forward, along with the incredible support of her eight year old son at the time, Johnson-Cromer faced the diagnosis the only way she knew how: head-on, asking, “What do I need to do next?”

“There, in that moment, I stayed in the stillness; it’s when you are fully present, you can see what God has in store for you, and you are able to receive,” reflected Johnson-Cromer, fighting back the tears. “God guided me to all the health care professionals to help me, and I trusted that process, pushing on despite how hard things became at times.”

That strong fight, led by her profound belief in God and support of her Church family as well as others, managed to stave off the cancer. Then 19 years later, in 2019, a rare occurrence surfaced: another lump returned on the same breast. Once again, Johnson-Cromer put on her armor and battled through, this time dealing with and defeating the challenges of radiation. Now hopeful her cancer journey had ended, she would a few years later, in 2023, receive the incredulous news: The cancer had metastasized, spreading to her right side, neck. And again, that sense of stillness- faith-belief-purpose imbibed her being.

“I breathe life and light, giving back and volunteering- at places, in roles- such as an Ambassador for both the American Cancer Society (ACS) and VOICES of Black Women as well as Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Hudson Valley HV-community service keeps me engaged and giving back is empowering,” said Johnson-Cromer who had a double mastectomy. “Humor has also gotten me through; my motto has been: Live, love, laugh and laugh some more.”

Much of that lightness is evident in Johnson-Cromer’s indisputable bonds with her Church “sisters.” With their Annual Women’s Day 2025 event slated for the next day, Sunday, it was “good timing” for Johnson-Cromer to deliver her critical words, centering upon one of its main threads: self-care, the day before and preceded by a Pre-Women’s Day Self-Care Breakfast, held downstairs.

“Our Pastor, Dr. Richard L. Bryant, a true man of God, who travels all over spreading the word, noticed so many people have breast cancer and don’t even know what to look for,” explained “First Lady,” Ella Bryant, the Pastor’s wife. “So, we asked Carol, a three-time survivor, who God is keeping for a purpose, to speak about it, so people could learn from her story.”

That seed evolved into a potent “God is not through with me yet” theme for Johnson-Cromer’s talk, which included an initiating, hands-on, and fully-involved audience phone selfie activity, capturing the moment that Johnson-Cromer, dubbed, “one that will stay with you, letting you reflect back on God’s light.” It was further highlighted by an ABC News video clip of her brave, fearless journey and the risk factors for Black women who have statistically more frequent breast cancer diagnoses.

Those cherished tips and mission to educate have earned Johnson-Cromer the titles, carrying “deep responsibility,” of “Sister’s Keeper,” and “Watchwoman,” safeguarding others from danger, according to the event’s Special Guest Speaker, Ozie Williams, who relayed pearls of wisdom about Diabetes awareness as part of the event. It’s a laser-focused commitment to raising awareness and empowering, making for an informed reality that hit hard, inspiring another one of Johnson-Cromer’s friends in the audience.

“Carol is a strong advocate for breast cancer; we as Black women need to do more of that,” said her friend of 50 years, Charmaine McCants-Collins, “We need to go for the things we believe in and not look back.”

Johnson-Cromer’s eyes are focused straight ahead, toward a future where she can continue to fulfill her purpose, one laden with enlightening others about her 25 year cancer odyssey with the integral need for all people to make their health a priority, particularly women….Black women. Research, learn all you can, see doctors on a regular basis, and become empowered, proactive.

“Know your body and believe what you know,” advised Johnson-Cromer, who made it a point to continually say ‘thank you, thank you, thank you….for being here to raise awareness’ to her “people of support,” Church sisters. “The earlier the detection, the more you have chances of survival.”

All that, along with some quiet stillness, deep presence and unwavering faith, can make all the difference.