Breast cancer survivor shares message of hope as she completes nationwide tour of cancer facilities

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Agnes Judge was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. Now a survivor, she embarked on a mission over the last few years to visit cancer centers across the country with a message of hope.

“I wanted to do more than just raise awareness in my hometown. I wanted to raise and spread awareness everywhere. So, I started my nationwide cancer tour about two years ago,” she said.

Along with a donation directly benefiting patients, her visit to 51 cancer centers in 50 states included a message to everyone: get your yearly checkups.

“I wanted to spread and raise awareness to all women to please get your yearly mammogram. And to men, get your annual examination. It’s so important,” she said.

Meeting with doctors, nurses, and social workers, Judge said she was educated on the advancement of radiation therapy, chemo treatments, and the screening process. “It’s advanced,” she said. “So is medication. It’s effective now. The only thing you have to do is get up and go to the doctor.”

Judge called her visits therapeutic because they let her know she was not alone. “Cancer is a diagnosis, not a death sentence,” she said while visiting the Medical University of South Carolina on Thursday morning.

It was the final stop on her 50-state tour. The MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, where the South Carolina native was treated for breast cancer.

Judge was joined by her medical team and presented a check to the center’s patient support fund, which assists patients with the costs of lodging, transportation, groceries, and utilities while they undergo treatment.

Dr. Mark Lockett, who provided care to Judge, was on hand for the event and expressed his gratitude for her efforts to give back.

“I’m so proud of her because most people, they get their breast cancer treated and then they are done, and they don’t really want to think about it. Agnes went in the other direction and said, alright, we kicked some cancer butt, and now I’m going to get out there to help other people do that,” he said. “That is so impressive to me and makes me so proud of her.”