After Tragedy, Cancer Survivor Finds Meaning Through Helping Others

Aleta Phelps has dedicated her adult life to helping others, whether through raising her two sons or in her career, where she assisted job-seekers in finding meaningful professions. It wasn’t always easy for her to be the rock her clients and children needed, but she persevered.

Aleta raised her children on her own. There were challenges, but she managed to make ends meet. "They didn't need to know about my struggle, and we made it work,” she said.

Aleta worked hard to ensure her family had access to every opportunity, including moving from a neighborhood that no longer felt safe.

Once her children were older, Aleta returned to college, earning two degrees in human resources, which allowed her to find a job she loved.

Things started to change in 2017. That’s when Aleta, who had always been active, noticed that her normal exercise routine was making her more tired than usual. She also felt something in her left breast.  At her next appointment, she mentioned this to her doctor, who said it was probably just a small cyst. No tests were done at that time. But Aleta continued to feel “off” and sought a second opinion. This led to a mammogram and a diagnosis of breast cancer.

After months of chemotherapy and radiation, doctors declared Aleta cancer-free.  Unfortunately, her status as cancer-free changed in 2021.

“I thought I was out of the woods,’” she said. “So, we're ringing bells, and I'm doing walks, and I'm fundraising, and here comes the cancer back again.” 

A family tragedy

That wasn’t all that would upend her life that year. Aleta had yet another personally traumatic event happen. Her youngest son was tragically killed at age 25 in 2021, just one month prior to her cancer returning. This time, her breast cancer had spread (metastasized) to her bones.

One day she went to get up, and “I literally could not walk,” she recalled.

She called a friend who took her to the hospital.

“They thought that maybe it was sciatic nerve damage or something like that,” she said. “And I’m like, ‘No. I know my body. Something else is going on.’”

Aleta’s advocacy for herself paid off, and she was able to get the tests, diagnosis, and treatment she needed. Still, managing treatment and reeling from the loss of a child was a heavy load for Aleta, and it took a lot of faith and strength to rise back up.

Today, at age 54, Aleta continues cancer treatment and cares for her grandson. Yasin was just a baby when his father died. Yasin is a source of strength for Aleta, helping her cope with both her grief at the loss of her son and the pain she has from cancer spreading to her bones. She is staying as physically active as possible when her pain allows.

"He just keeps me going because some days I can't get off the bed," she said.

Aleta's commitment to her grandson fuels her hope for a better future. She strives to ensure that he has a stable and loving environment. Aleta says, "I wake up every day with the hope that they find a cure or new medicine that will prolong my life so I could stay here, and I can make sure these grandkids are OK."

Sharing her story

Aleta’s experience navigating cancer has led her to be proactive and offer support to others living with the disease. When a coworker was frightened by her own recent cancer diagnosis, Aleta asked for her number. She called and checked in with her friend from time to time, knowing what a difference that care made.

She encourages people facing similar challenges to not be afraid to seek help and to recognize that they are not alone in their journey.

"Don't be afraid to ask for help,” she says. “There is support out here, and I promise you that you will feel loved.”

Joining American Cancer Society events like Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and meeting other survivors helped Aleta through her journey.

“Even if you never connect with these people again in your lifetime, you met someone that day at that event, and you cried together, and you hugged each other, and you were able to motivate one another, and you were able to even feel blessed because you meet people that aren't doing as well as you are or can forecast into the future and you can get an idea of what you may be dealing with,” she said.

Finding strength among challenges, joy with her family, and support from the American Cancer Society help Aleta get through difficult times.

“I feel like if you give up, everything falls apart, but if you have the strength of a mustard seed, things can get better,” she said. “The hope keeps me going.”