Editor’s note: This story is a continuation of our series focusing on cancer survivors in advance of the Dallas County Relay for Life set for April 29-30 at Memorial Stadium.

“I have a strong faith and I believe that God is never going to leave me,” said two-time colon cancer survivor, Patty Sexton, as she sat on the steps of First Baptist Church.

“I want to be an advocate of treatment and hope,” Sexton said while admiring her survivor ribbon. “Cancer has two big enemies, fear and procrastination and you must tackle them head on. You can either kill cancer or let it kill you.”

Sexton, the daughter of Selma project developer, Earl Goodwin, has worked for the city of Selma for 20 years. Before moving back to Selma in the 1970s, Sexton taught fourth grade in the Birmingham City Schools, ballet and gymnastics. Sexton’s heart though, remains with Selma.

“I moved to Selma at the age of 3 and Selma has been wonderful to me,” Sexton said. “I always said ‘Selma and cancer’ are my mission.”

Sexton has been cancer free since January 2000 and she has been a part of the Selma-Dallas County Relay for Life for the past six years. This year marks the first year her church, First Baptist, has had a team.

“Our pastor Dr. Jerry Light lost both his parents to cancer and he was very adamant about our church having a team,” Sexton said. “We have so many people in our congregation who’ve survived cancer. We have some strong prayer warriors.”

The prayers, Sexton said, brought her through both bouts with cancer back in the mid-90s.

“I would go to the restroom and notice bleeding but I ignored it for several months because I didn’t think it was a big deal,” Sexton said. “I would go to my checkups every six months and when doctors took samples, I suspected they were malignant.”

Sexton went on to say that when doctors suggested they would send her samples to Birmingham for further testing, Sexton felt it was unnecessary.

“At that moment, I fully understood what was going on,” Sexton said. “I knew it was cancer and I wanted him to just tell me that. Immediately I had perfect peace about the situation.”

After Sexton had surgery to remove the tumors, eight months later, doctors found another cancerous pinhead. Sexton’s husband and mother, who were both diagnosed with cancer, were confused.

“I think the hardest thing was telling my mother,” Sexton said. “My mom was like, ‘No, you’re too young’, and my husband said, ‘why you and not me?’ I just told him, ‘God is in control.’”

Sexton had radiation and chemotherapy treatments at Selma’s cancer center on Dallas Avenue before moving to Vaughan Regional Medical Center’s medical towers.

“I had the best nurses anyone could ask for,” Sexton said. “I was fortunate to not have many side effects to the radiation and chemo. I was even able to have my chemo treatments outside on the side walk, which was really comfy.”

Sexton is proud of who she is and not ashamed of her story. Her bubbly personality seems to rub off on any one she comes in contact with.

“I’m a firm believer of prayer and the Relay for Life,” Sexton said. “Cancer is not the worst word you will ever hear and it can be a good thing; early detection is key. Through my cancer, the Lord has helped me to be a witness to overcome both fear and anxiety.

“There’s so much life after cancer and we’ve got to find a cure. We can never give up the fight.”