Brandy Reed began wearing pink as a supporter, but now she wears it as a survivor
By Nicole Feyh
KCChiefs.com
If it was ever a choice before, Brandy Reed never saw it as one.
“I had to fight because my baby deserves a mommy.”
After all, breastfeeding her son, Jaxson, was the reason she discovered the lump in the first place. He’s also the reason she never takes a moment with him for granted.
Brandy underwent a bilateral mastectomy on March 5 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in February, when her son was only four months old.
The procedure was grueling, especially for a new wife and mother who imagined her life heading in any other direction than this.
And for the next eight weeks, Brandy couldn’t so much as lift her arms, let alone hold her own child.
“I didn’t like the fact that I couldn’t take care of my son,” Brandy said, “but I literally couldn’t. I had treatments on Thursdays and by Saturday, all I could do was sleep and eat.”
Through the help of her and her husband’s family, Brandy began the road to recovery, starting with a surgery that left her bedridden. She would undergo 16 treatments total in two rounds of chemotherapy over the next four months.
“My first four treatments were pretty tough,” Brandy recalled. “They kind of knocked me on my butt. I’m a very energetic person, so for me to be down in the dumps was difficult.”
Inspired by the life she created, Brandy began the road to recovery.
Her treatments ended in early September, one week before Jaxson turned 1.
“There are so many times in the day where I stop and think that six months ago I didn’t think I’d be here,” she said. “Time is just invaluable to me. I want to make an effort to connect with my friends, make those memories with my family.
“Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. I know it’s so cliché to say, but when you’ve literally had your life flash before your eyes, you take things one day at a time and you appreciate people and situations in your life so much more.”
But before she was a survivor, Brandy’s life had already been deeply affected by cancer.
Brandy grew up in St. Louis and began dancing around the age of 4 with tap and ballet. Dance became her first love, especially through the passing of her father to lung cancer when she was 15.
Six years later, when she was in college, her mother would be diagnosed with breast cancer, adding to the list of women in her family with the disease.
“When my mom was diagnosed, the fear of having [breast cancer] kind of flashed in my mind and my thoughts,” she remembers. “But I was so focused on her getting healthy and me not losing another parent to this disease that I didn’t linger on it for long. I thought about it but I just couldn’t focus on me.”
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View an extended version of the 2015-16 Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders introduction video that is played before every home game.
Watch the video here.
From Sea Gal Jacqueline’s Twitter Feed
It was fun wearing these throwback uniforms as we celebrated 40 years of @TheSeaGals this past weekend!
New England Patriots Cheerleader Lisa Marie joined Boston Herald Radio in studio yesterday to talk about the highlight of her career — being part of the Super Bowl champs’ winning season.
Q: How long have you been a Pats cheerleader?
A: I’ve been a Patriots cheerleader for four seasons.
Q: How was the Super Bowl last year?
A: It’s definitely been a highlight of my career. I still can’t believe I was cheering them on to victory, that I was a part of a winning season. I feel like every season has been a winning season for me, being able to cheer well into postseason since 2012 has just been unreal.
Q: So what has changed the most going into year four?
A: Joining the team as a rookie I guess you really build your confidence up. Now, at year four, I feel very tenured, that I’ve gained a lot of confidence and experience. The team has always played amazingly and at year four I would say they are just as great as they were at year one — if not even better.
Q: What’s the process like trying out to be a Patriots cheerleader?A: Very grueling. There’s an open call and dancers can come out and show off their skills. Then if you’re lucky enough to last through the day, you return a few weeks later to have a one-on-one interview with our coach and director. And after that you return for the final round with a little more interviewing. You will review the dances that you learned at open call. And you do a solo to the song of your choice. And you think that’s it, but you go through boot camp! And that lasts two weeks and then the team is announced. You do have to re-audition every year. You definitely need to stay fresh and on your top game.
If you have ever dreamed of dancing for a professional sports team, now is your chance! On Saturday November 21st, we are giving you the opportunity to get a leg up on the competition with the New York Lizards Dance Team Pre-Tryout Clinic. During this clinic you will receive pre-audition advice from Dance Team Head Coach Paula Sanders and learn all that it takes to be a member of the New York Lizards Dance Team. We expect to find many talented, athletic, and determined dancers who want to tryout for the defending 2015 MLL Champions this winter.
As a Lizard dancer, you will perform at all 2016 New York Lizards home games, as well as other public appearances throughout the season. You will have the opportunity to learn from Lizards dance instructor Paula Sanders who has great experience in the dancing world. She has performed for Pitbull, Neyo, Melissa Gorga, Prince Royce, and Winsin y Yandel. In addition, Paula spent two seasons with the New York Knicks as a Knicks City Dancer and has performed with Melissa Gorga on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live. She was also featured as a dancer in Gorga’s single, “I Just Wanna”.
Date: Saturday, Nov 21
Time: 2-4 PM
Location: Pearl studios (519 8th Ave) Studio D
Price: $40
This is my second season as a Sweetheart of the Horseshoe and I am loving every single second of it! Originally from Crown Point, Indiana, I moved to Indy to pursue my Colts Cheer dreams and I feel so blessed to have been chosen as a rookie back in 2012. I spent the following two years off the field working full time, but am happy to say I’m back again this season as a cheer veteran! I’ve already had many wonderful experiences as a cheerleader this year, including amazing community appearances, traveling to Cancun for our 2015-2016 swim calendar photo shoot, visiting some of our dedicated military personnel in Honduras, and so many other life changing opportunities. Along the way, I have made incredible friends who I know will be in my life forever. I am so blessed to have become a part of this amazing sisterhood – I don’t know what I’d do without my teammates!
I feel God has blessed me with this amazing opportunity and for that I am incredibly thankful! I want to thank my amazing parents and my brother who have supported and encouraged me every step of the way, and send a big “THANKS” out to all of my friends who have pushed me toward my goals since the day I decided to audition. I am also very grateful for the Colts organization – my life will be forever changed because of the opportunities they have given me. I am thankful for my teammates, our coach, and our trainer for making this such a special experience from practices through game days. Being on this team is a dream come true! Colts Nation, you are without a doubt the best fans in the NFL! I love performing on the field of Lucas Oil because of the amazing energy YOU bring to each and every Colts game and event. Thank you and GO COLTS!
You’ve been a vegetarian for eight years. What made you want to stop eating meat and what food do you miss most?
My mom has been a vegetarian my entire life, so as I got older, I began thinking more and more about why she would make that big of a commitment. Personally, it isn’t that I dislike the taste of meat, I just don’t like the idea of eating something that had a life when there are other options available. I don’t miss any specific type of meat, but sometimes it would be so much easier to eat a meal without making modifications or special requests, ESPECIALLY if I’m with someone who offers to prepare a meal. I hate feeling picky, but I just can’t bring myself to eat meat.This past weekend you celebrated a birthday. How did you spend it?
My birthday weekend was so great! My boyfriend and I spent the day at the mall where he bought me a new dress and treated me to pizza at Napolese. It was so good! My parents and little brother had sent down a bunch of gift cards, so I enjoyed a great day of shopping! (Thanks, family!) Later on Friday night, I had dinner with 20 great friends at Colts Grille. We all continued celebrating for the rest of the weekend. I appreciate everyone who wished me a happy birthday and helped me celebrate! I had such a great time!
You were a part of the 1st place bowling team for the Colts Cheerleaders Bowling Tournament. Do you bowl or do any other activities outside of dancing?
I was lucky to be placed on a VERY talented bowling team for the tournament! I do like to bowl occasionally, but other activities I enjoy outside of work and cheer include working out with my cheer sisters or my boyfriend, and spending quality time with the important people in my life (& my amazing dog!)
Tell us about your friend Baron!
Baron is my AMAZING Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mastiff mix who I adopted on June 28, 2014 at one of the Indy Mega Adoption Events. He spent a lot of his life in the shelter before I adopted him, but despite that, he is still the sweetest, most loving dog I have ever met. He has such a great personality and because of that, he has shown me and many others that pit bull breeds are amazing dogs. I am so proud to call him my best friend and I am extremely blessed to have found him. He shows me constant, unconditional love and adopting him was the best decision I’ve ever made.
What is your favorite part of game day?
Game days are such a cool experience! Personally, my favorite part of game day is the tunnel right before the game. When the players run through the tunnel and onto the field, the excitement of Colts Nation is unreal! The unity between every Colts fan in the stadium is so powerful, and that intense energy coming from all sides of the field reminds me that we have the best fans and organization in the league. Being a part of the tunnel is a huge reminder of how blessed I am to be on the field, and the energy and excitement shared by everyone in Lucas Oil gets me ready to cheer my hardest at every game. There is NOTHING like a Colts game day!
By Keith Russell
dfw.cbslocal.com
In her fourth year as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, Jessica says “the uniform is famous, not her.” However, she continues to prove that the ladies in those uniforms can make a huge difference.
Originally from Iowa, Jessica earned her finance degree from Indiana State University. From there, she was invited to cheer for the Indiana Pacers. That’s when the most famous cheerleading squad in the world called, and Jessica set sail for DFW. In addition to cheering at Cowboys home games on Sundays, and several cheerleader appearances, Jessica stays busy in her full-time job as an accountant for a home construction company in Dallas.
Jessica says she loves smashing the stereotype that girls don’t like math. Her dad is a gastro intestinal doctor and her mom is a former chemical engineer. Jessica’s love for math runs in the family…to the point where she says she viewed mathematical equations as fun games growing up. While Jessica understands she grew up in an extremely fortunate situation, she wants to be a role model for young ladies from all backgrounds, that anything is possible, as long as they set goals and work hard to achieve them.
A Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader
From Colts.com
My first year as a Sweetheart of the Horseshoe was in 2009 and I’m excited to be back on the team this year! I’ve had such great opportunities being part of this organization. I was able to travel to Miami for Super Bowl XLIV. Being in Florida the week before the big game was an experience I’ll never forget. I was also able to perform downtown when Super Bowl XLVI was in Indianapolis. That week was awesome and incredibly busy with appearances! I sang in front of thousands of fans on Georgia St. and performed on the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon show at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. This year, I traveled to Honduras with some of my teammates to perform for our military. We were able to zip line through the trees, site see, and perform two shows – all in less than 2 days! Another exciting trip I took this year was to Mexico for our calendar shoot. We had a blast being on the beach together.
I’m very thankful to have a strong support system off the field. My family and friends are so encouraging of me to reach my goals. My mom has been and always will be my #1 fan and I’m SO appreciative of everything she does for me. THANK YOU, MOMMA! She, as well as my mamaw and papaw, never miss a game! I’m lucky to have them in the stands cheering on their cheerleader! I also want to give a shout-out to my big sister and little brother, I love you! A big thank you to my Colts Cheer sisters. They are so motivating during practice, which makes it even more fun! They are sweet, talented, and smart and I’m proud of each of them!
I’m very grateful to be on the field again this year! Let’s make this year a great one, Colts fans! GO HORSE!
This past Sunday the Colts held their Breast Cancer Awareness game against the Jaguars. What part of this game stuck out to you most?
Sunday’s game was about so much more than football. It was truly inspiring to see the women in pink on the field knowing that they had fought or are currently fighting breast cancer. It brought tears to my eyes. I was able to meet a few of them before the game and talking with them was very humbling. My life has been forever changed by cancer so this game meant a lot to me. My mom and dad were both diagnosed with cancer. My dad went through numerous rounds of chemo and, sadly, passed away three years ago. Cancer has affected so many lives. It was wonderful to see Colts fans (and cheerleaders!) dressed in pink to bring awareness to breast cancer.
How long have you been dancing?
I have been dancing since I was three years old. I started at a dance studio on the south side of Indy called The Dance Refinery. I took dance there until I was a senior in high school. I trained in many styles of dance including tap, jazz, pointe, and ballet. Ciara and Natalie also took dance classes at TDR so it’s fun to be dancing with them again as Colts Cheerleaders. Ciara was actually my trio partner and now we are on the same squad! Aside from dancing, I also sing and have been in numerous musicals. At the age of nine, I toured in The Sound of Music across the US and Asia as Brigitta Von Trapp on the Broadway Tour!Aside from being a Colts Cheerleader, you are a full time Emergency Department RN. What is your favorite and hardest part of this career?
I love working in the Emergency Department because each day is so different from the last. I have learned a lot working there the past year. I’m able to see and meet all types of people. One patient can come in with a sore throat and the next patient might need electrical cardioversion because of an irregular heartbeat! It’s all very exciting. I work from 7pm-7am so the hardest part of my job is the schedule! It can be rough after working a long night, sleeping only a couple of hours and then having to be ready and focused for practice. But all those hours of sleep lost is definitely worth it!
Your favorite dish to cook is…
My mamaw’s homemade banana bread. It’s a secret recipe and it is delicious!
What is your favorite song to dance to right now?
I went to the Taylor Swift concert a couple weeks ago when she was in Indy so right now I enjoy dancing to her 1989 album!
