12/23/2025
During , we honor hope, healing and incredible physicians, nurses and colleagues who make stories like Brenda Minor’s possible – helping families spend the holidays together.
When the 37-year-old experienced recurring abdominal pain, she trusted her instincts and sought answers. That decision led her to the High-Risk Pancreas Center at Sarah Cannon Cancer Network at HCA Virginia Health System, where advanced screening revealed a high-grade precancerous lesion on her pancreas – detected before it could develop into pancreatic cancer. The tumor was successfully removed at Johnston-Willis Hospital, part of Chippenham & Johnston-Willis Hospitals. Catching pancreatic cancer early is rare, yet for those fortunate enough to receive an early diagnosis, the odds of survival dramatically improve.
Brenda’s story highlights the life-saving impact of proactive diagnostics and specialized programs designed to help identify risks before they become cancer. That same expertise supports the more than 120,000 patients diagnosed with cancer each year across the HCA Healthcare Sarah Cannon Cancer Network, where teams work together to deliver comprehensive care, research and support.
Learn more about Brenda’s story: https://bit.ly/3MSauCG