POWERGRAMS

Health & Wellness Foundation support helping UAB, patients fight against breast cancer Photos by Wynter Byrd "You have to have a fighting spirit." Rosalind Griffin firmly believes that attitude helped her beat breast cancer five years ago. "I tried to stay positive. You can't let the cancer consume you," said Griffin, Supply Chain Management contracts supervisor, Corporate Headquarters. "Doctors and nurses will tell you having a positive attitude will affect your treatment, and I believe it's true." Griffin's battle against cancer began in March 2008 after finding a lump on her breast. With her fears confirmed by a mammogram and ultrasound, she underwent surgery that April, followed by three months of chemotherapy. As with most patients, Griffin endured side effects from the chemotherapy, including hair loss, mouth and throat ulcers, tingling in her feet and hands, and loss of appetite. At one point, burns and blisters on her feet caused by the drugs became so severe the doctors put an early stop to that round of treatment. "The surgery was tough, but the chemo was tougher," Griffin said. "You know Yang shows Griffin research. how you feel when you have the flu. That was how I felt every day for months." Griffin, whose children were 7 and 12 years old at the time, said one of the hardest parts of the experience was keeping up with everything at home and at work while undergoing chemotherapy. But family and friends helped her make it through the "tough times." Along with providing meals, Griffin's friends from Alabama Power, church and the ballpark took turns driving her to chemotherapy treatments. Friends celebrated the end of her Griffin with UAB researcher Dr. Eddy Yang. treatments by throwing a surprise party and collecting a donation in her honor for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA), which supports the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. Learning about the BCRFA's efforts piqued Griffin's interest and led her to get involved in 2009. Since then, she has served as a BCRFA board member. She has poured her energy into the organization, giving presentations at events, assisting with fundraisers, selling T-shirts and other items, and co-chairing the BCRFA's annual Pink Palace Casino Night. Griffin stays busy during October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month – helping with BCRFA events, such as the Belk Private Shopping Night at The Summit and Revvin' 4 Research Charity Ride. Griffin's daughter, Grace, gets involved by selling pink Breast Cancer Awareness wristbands at school. "I enjoy working with people, and I'm glad to help the organization in any way I can," said Griffin. "Hopefully, the research being done at UAB will help somebody coming behind me who is diagnosed with the disease." The Alabama Power Foundation is doing its part to help wipe out breast cancer, which affects one in eight women. For nearly 20 years, the foundation has supported research at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. These funds help researchers develop treatments, trials and therapies that are impacting cancer patients worldwide. In one of the projects, researchers are testing a breakthrough method for treating triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form that can only be combated with vigorous chemotherapy. The new therapy combines two oral drugs to destroy the tumor. "We are proud to support the worthwhile efforts of these researchers who are constantly striving to find new and better ways to fight breast cancer," said John Hudson, president of the Alabama Power Foundation. "Alabama Power cares about our customers and is committed to helping them stay healthy and whole." Griffin and the Alabama Power Foundation have made a significant impact on the lives of women and their families in Alabama and beyond, said Kate Darden, vice president of the BCRFA. "With enormous gratitude and on behalf of my fellow board members, I want to thank Rosalind and Alabama Power for their commitment to the BCRFA," Darden said. "More women have had more treatment options and a better quality of life because of you. What a legacy!" Griffin said cancer taught her several life lessons. "Life is precious," she said. "I learned not to worry about the little things. Now I take time to appreciate the everyday things – a gorgeous day, watching my children play ball, listening to their music recital or just spending a few hours with family and friends." ON THE COVER: Employees of Washington County Cogeneration Facility have surpassed 14 years without a recordable injury or preventable vehicle accident. Photo by Dan Anderson. 2 By Carla Davis

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