By Suzette Martinez Standring
Chantette Stallworth, age 58, is a Fire Investigator with Boston Fire and Explosion. She’s been been with the Boston Fire Department for 25 years and served as a firefighter at one of Boston’s busiest stations in Dorchester.
Recently, she attended an event and said, “The Boston Fire Department had 71 graduates today, and seven are women. Wooo-hooo!”
Years ago Chantette had to overcome her own gender bias about firefighting, when she dated a firefighter who encouraged her to take the test.
“My response was women don’t do that, and he stated, ‘Yes they do.’ I gave it serious thought, and decided to go for it, but it didn’t happen overnight.”
Chantette persevered taking the annual test for eight years before getting accepted.
This is her story of running toward a career of high cancer risk after beating her own cancer and overcoming addiction. What gave her staying power? Faith.
As the age of 21, Chantette Stallworth was diagnosed with cervical cancer and the doctors recommended a radical hysterectomy. It was devastating.
Having gone through such a traumatic cancer as a young woman, why would she run toward a career known for extraordinarily high rates of cancer, and where female firefighters unique risks?
Once she made her decision to help save lives, she was all in.
She shares her story:
In 1988 I was a young college student in sunny California, which was always a dream of mine to go west. Full of dreams and ambitions for the future, I was focused on school, work, friendships, until a routine Pap smear threw my life off course.
When my test came back as a class five, I was told by The LA Free Clinic I needed further testing, but I was a college student with limited resources. Cedar Sinai Medical Center wanted $1,000 just to reveal my diagnosis. It was devastating.. And then I heard the words that changed everything: “You have cervical cancer.”
The news I gave my mom who was 3,000 miles away was heart wrenching to say the least. I was given less than two weeks to tie up my life in LA (per my mom) and move back to Boston. I had to drop out of school. Back home I had to endure more tests and biopsies where the weight of my diagnosis—and the fear of the unknown —caught up with me. I turned to drugs and alcohol, trying to numb myself from the pain and avoid facing my fears. For a time, I lost myself.
My struggle with addiction started the night before my surgery, I went on a bender, leaving my family distraught of my whereabouts. I would eventually start up again feeling sorry for myself facing the reality I wouldn’t be able to have children.
On November 17, 1988 I was in surgery for over six hours. according to my mom.
Through those dark days, my mom and siblings stood by me, encouraging me to find strength, in our Lord Jesus Christ. With their love and with God’s grace, I began to see a way forward. I finally faced my fears and began the journey to overcome my addictions. It wasn’t easy, but day by day, I found the will to reclaim my life. Ultimately, I turned to the Lord and away from substance abuse.”
Today, I stand grateful to God for bringing me through. Looking back, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for my family and for the strength God gave me to face those struggles. It’s been 36 years since that first diagnosis, and while it left scars, it also taught me the true meaning of resilience and grace.”
To anyone facing a diagnosis, addiction, or any struggle that seems insurmountable, know that there is hope. With support, faith, and determination, you can overcome. No journey is easy, but there’s strength within you, and brighter days do lie ahead.”
Chantette Stallworth serves on the Advisory Board of Firefighters vs Cancer.
DO YOU HAVE A FIREFIGHTER RELATED CANCER STORY?
Please contact Suzette Standring (suzette@firefightersvscancer.org) if you, as a firefighter or family member, have a story to share.
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