By Joey Villarreal.

To show appreciation and support, teachers and STUCCO gifted teacher Sandra Henry, who was diagnosed with breast cancer, with a gift basket for Breast Cancer Awareness Month before the pink out pep rally on Oct 11.

“I was so surprised I had no idea,” Henry said. “I get a knock at my door and there’s at least 40 people standing outside giving me a giant basket of goodies.”

At the beginning of the school year Henry was diagnosed with a stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, also known as breast cancer. Student Council named their pink out fundraiser “Hope for Henry” in her honor.

“We are an eagle family,” counselor Roxanne Bush said. “Once an eagle, always an eagle. If you’re going through a rough time, we always want our faculty and staff to feel supported.”

Bush explained that she and Henry are close friends and look forward to competing in work events.

“I love Mrs. Henry, “Bush said. “We just want to help support when one of our family members is going through something.”

Henry has been going through an extensive chemo regimen every three weeks for six cycles. She was concerned about how her classes would be affected by her absences but was assured by her students and other teachers by their support.

“I’m so blessed,” Henry said. “I couldn’t be more grateful and thankful for all the love and support. Everyone has been 100% behind me.”

Henry uses Facebook and Instagram to share details about her treatments with friends and family. She hopes the information will help those who are also struggling.

“A lot of people have told me they really appreciate it because they don’t know,” Henry said. “I try to share as much as I can to help out. If someone you know is going through cancer, I made my posts so people can go back and look to see symptoms and know what the person is really going through. “

Henry explains her symptoms and updates her audience on how she’s feeling through each round of chemo. She also informs her viewers on the importance of cancer awareness.

“It’s so weird I never knew I had cancer until I had a mammogram, I just never felt anything,” Henry said. “It’s like I’m treating a ghost because I never knew it was there. I always say to go to

your regular checkup because I had no idea, I had this tumor until the mammogram found it.”

Henry shared her gratitude and love through her social media and explained that she is not worried about beating this, she knows she will.

“I’m so thankful for Abilene High,” Henry said. “All the love and support has been overwhelming. It really is a great day to be an eagle.”