Darlene Husband: A Beacon of Resilience and Advocacy

Darlene Husband, a 37-year employee of DTE Gas in Underground Construction and Maintenance at the Lynch Road Service Center in Detroit, battled diabetes, hypertension and two rounds of breast cancer.

Darlene was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension in 2005, but she did not feel sick or unhealthy at the time. She learned how to manage her numbers with medication, coaching from her doctors and participating in the company’s Energize Your Life health and wellbeing program. She also benefitted from the Your Dedicated Nurse program offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, which provided her with access to a dedicated nurse, pharmacist, social worker and dietitian.

Additional programs the company offers equipped her with essential tools like a glucose monitor, scale and blood pressure monitoring kit.

In 2009, Darlene was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time, after noticing something was wrong in her breast. She went through a treatment that lasted for seven years.

In 2021, Darlene felt something in both of her breasts and went to the doctor again. She was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time and had to undergo a bilateral mastectomy, which was followed by another surgery and radiation. She faced some complications along the way, but she got through them with the help of her doctors, her faith and her support network.

Darlene shares her story openly and encourages others to take advantage of any company resources available to them. She believes that sharing her story can help others feel less alone in their health journeys. Darlene encourages everyone to have a trusted medical home, regular health screenings and check-ups and emphasizes the importance of knowing your numbers and staying on top of your health.

Darlene also participates in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day 60-mile walk and is an Advocacy Ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy. She has traveled to Washington D.C. and Lansing to speak with Congress about the financial impact of cancer and the importance of adequate health insurance. She recently marched in Washington and Lansing to urge our members of Congress to make breast cancer a national priority for the 2025 budget and encouraged senators to support various bills regarding breast cancer.

Throughout her journey, Darlene has never let fear or doubt take hold. She attributes this to her faith in God, her support system and her involvement with the Susan G. Komen family.

Darlene is a survivor and a breast cancer awareness advocate. Her message to others on this journey is to never give up. She encourages others to be strong, keep the faith and continue to fight.

Darlene’s story is one of resilience, courage and determination. She is an inspiration to us all and a reminder that we are never alone in our fight against breast cancer.