Becca's Story
Becca was born on January 5, 1988 in Macon, GA. She graduated from Windsor Academy in2006 and went on to attend Valdosta State University. During her senior year of college in2009, Becca was diagnosed with colon cancer and CMMRD at the age of 21 after her sister Laura’s diagnosis with colon cancer and CMMRD. Following Becca’s battle with colon cancer, she went on to graduate with a degree in Dental Hygiene in 2011 and began working to fight cavities. In 2013, she married Matt Garner and moved to Columbia, SC. She was a hardworking dental hygienist, dedicated animal adoption volunteer, military spouse, and proud mom to two furbabies, McLovin and Mr. Belvedere. She was an adored daughter, granddaughter, sister, and aunt. She always put everyone else before herself. More than anything she brought joy to us and to all of God’s creatures; she showed us how to Embrace Life, wanted to Save lives, and was always “Becca Kind”.
Embrace Life
Since Becca was a little girl she always went above and beyond to brighten someone's day. Even when she was extremely sick, she went to work and put a smile on her face every day. She fought so many battles that most people will never know about because she NEVER complained. She still volunteered most weekends to help one of her favorite causes, finding homes for pets, with SQ Rescue Pet Adoption. She was a ray of sunshine to everyone she met and had the most positive attitude and contagious laugh. She jogged to most of her radiation treatments. She continued to live a healthy lifestyle, cooking healthy meals and exercising every day. Becca also enjoyed kickboxing, hiking, going to the beach, watching funny movies, UGA football, and listening to all kinds of music. She was a member of Generation Church. Becca always saw the best in people and never judged others by outward appearances or affiliations. We want to inspire individuals, families, and communities to come together at events to embrace life, to make the most out of each day, and to use their talents and resources towards improving the quality of lives of those who are affected with BMMRD and similar illnesses and their resulting challenges, especially those that Becca faced.
"On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend's life also, in our own, to the world." -Henry David Thoreau
"On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend's life also, in our own, to the world." -Henry David Thoreau
Save Lives
In May 2015, Becca was diagnosed with a large GBM brain tumor during a routine brain MRI, which is part of normal CMMRD surveillance. She endured multiple surgeries, radiation, immunotherapy, and life changing side effects from clinical trials during the next year in an effort to help save her life as well find a cure for others. During her fight with this cruel disease, Becca lost the ability to see, walk, talk, eat, swallow, and even sit up in a chair. She was a six year colon cancer survivor and brain cancer warrior. Becca gave to others up to her last breathe. Her last wishes were that her doctors receive anything from her body that they thought could help find a cure and spare others from enduring the pain caused by CMMRD. Our goal is to raise awareness as well as funding in order to help further research geared towards finding a cure for CMMRD and improving treatment options for those with CMMRD cancers.
"Becca Kind"
Simply put, there will never be enough words to adequately capture the life and legacy of our precious Becca Jean. While in Charleston for radiation treatments, she brought meals to her fellow cancer warriors at the Hope House. While concerned about her own finances during her cancer treatments, she insisted on anonymously picking up the tab for a family sitting beside her eating at a restaurant because she felt so bad for the woman who obviously had cancer and was eating with her children. Even with brain cancer, she took the time to save her plastic bags and take them back to Kroger for recycling. Anyone who knew Becca could tell a hundred similar stories- she was always a giver. She left us treasured memories of her beautiful smile, sweet soul, contagious laugh, selfless actions, kind acts, and tremendous sense of humor. She inspired us to better ourselves with her heart of gold, passion for life, unwavering strength, determination, bravery, and indescribable love for family, friends, strangers, and all of God’s creations. The world was truly a better place with her in it. Becca touched so many lives and made a lasting impression on every one she met. We want to continue to capture her spirit though our actions and giving by not just being kind but by being “Becca Kind.”