Susan G. Komen for the Cure ® Advocacy Alliance

Robert and Nicole Henderson

Photo of Nicole Henderson Greenville, South Carolina

A story of courage, true love, and inspiration for others battling cancer.

A young mother of four, Nicole found a lump in her breast in 1999, which started Nicole’s and Robert’s long breast cancer journey. Nicole battled breast cancer for almost 10 years and never gave up or lost her optimistic attitude. With the wonderful support of her husband, she tried every treatment available to save her life. Nevertheless, Nicole’s cancer spread to her brain and her condition declined, and in May 2008, Nicole lost her battle.

In the time she had, she and Robert stood together to share their story and champion the cause of early detection and more funding for research. Nicole shared her story at dozens of churches and community events, raising awareness about the importance of early detection in saving lives. Despite her ongoing battle with breast cancer, she never missed an opportunity to speak to a community group or give a radio or TV interview on behalf of Komen to raise breast cancer awareness. Her tireless example of trying to help the women of the Upstate detect breast cancer at its earliest stage will forever be an example to all of us. In recognition of her efforts, she was given the "Power of One" award in 2007 from Komen headquarters and the Upstate SC Affiliate and was named the BMW Ultimate Drive "Local Hero" in 2006.

Henderson's husband, Robert, won the Co-Survivor award from Susan G. Komen for the Cure in February 2008 for his extraordinary support of his wife during her long term battle with this disease. He received the award in Dallas, TX in front of 1,200 attendees, with Nicole at his side. Despite how sick she was, she made the flight to make sure that her husband would not miss this recognition.

Posted by BUILTIN BUILTIN at 12/18/2008 11:02:45 AM |

God Bless you Robert. I respect any man that stands by his covenant with his wife when it says "to death do we part" My husband, I know would respect you tremendously. I was diagnosed in 2001. He and my sons were my world when I was going through the process. Always remember all the good that you and Nicole had and the lifes she touched. Her assignment was up. God bless you and your family. Cathy
Posted by: Cathy R Williams ( Email ) at 3/4/2009 8:19 PM

I am so moved by all of these stories, but especially this one. My aunt had breast cancer & dealt with it for about 10 years as well. She was, just as Nicole, a strong woman. I cannot believe how some women have such strength to go through something like that and still make a difference in other people's lives. They are truly heros in my eyes.
Posted by: Casey evans ( Email ) at 4/16/2009 8:48 PM

I am so happy to see patients who keep fighting to somehow stay alive. Their courage is so needed for those who are still in the middle of their crisis. I have been in remission for almost 20 years, and even I am encouraged by so many in the struggle. May God continue to bless your family and friends who help keep hope alive.
Posted by: Earlene Carter ( Email ) at 6/13/2009 5:27 PM

I am a four time cancer survivor. I struggle everyday to continue on but do so. I had breast cancer in 2004, thyroid cancer in 2007 and kidney cancer presently. My Dr. has informed me I am a carrier and will surely have more in the future. I will not give up and die, life is too important and my love ones mean to much to me. I hope in the end my children will know they can make it through anything and will have the strength to do so by watching me.
Posted by: cindy lohmeyer ( Email ) at 7/8/2009 1:09 PM

I have been fighting this dreadful disease for 9 years. I just finished my 4th reoccurrance and could not imagine going through this without my husband. He is my mentor and my best friend. Never gives a second thought to draining drains, driving me for treatments, yadda yadda yadda. My cancer started in my right breast, moved to my left breast, back to the nipple on the right side and then to my spine and ribs. Right now I am cancer free. Hopefully I will stay that way but I live each and every day to the fullest and don't look back on the past. Your friends and family are EVERYTHING and I thank them all.
Posted by: Sherri ( Email ) at 8/21/2009 9:25 AM

How do you battle a disease when the oncologist doesnt know the cause, and if he does, is not allowed to tell you? Simple. Step OUTSIDE THE BOX. Its your body, no law prevents you curing yourself. Tens of thousands of us, since the mid 90s, have been preventing and curing cancer following the protocols of Hulda Clark, PhD, ND. In her latest 2007, 700 page work we have the precisely identified mulriple causes and pathways, where Dr Clark used her own resonance comparison device ansd sensitive Geiger counters.No, not the fraud the gatekeepers scream, whose job is to keep any natural cures discredired and out of the Medical Journals they control.
Posted by: ThomasT ( Email ) at 9/11/2009 8:03 PM

I was diagnosed October 2008 i finished all my treatments las year. & to read these stories help me a great deal. I still feel afraid that Cancer might come back. I do have a positive attitude I'm back to work and love it. It's great to be alive !!!
Posted by: Rosie Cespedes ( Email ) at 10/14/2009 4:49 PM

Karen "Nicole" Henderson was my mother and Robert Henderson is my dad. I just happened to google my mom's name b/c she was on my mind pretty heavy today (her birthday was this past Saturday, October 17th) and I came across this post. Not a day goes by that I don't think about my mother and the life that she lived, but it was comforting to know that her legacy lives on today and that her story is still motivating women who have had or are still battling with cancer. Battling any type of cancer is like riding a bicycle; you won't lose or fall off unless you plan to stop peddling.
Posted by: Skylr Druhet ( Email ) at 10/19/2009 2:54 PM

We need to encourage women to go 4 mamograms be4 its 2 late,i realy appreciate cancer survivors,very brave nd ready to face on the world.cancer is real and it kills but that shouldnt scare us,let us be brave nd go 4 mamograms,thank u
Posted by: Molly ( Email | Visit ) at 10/27/2009 12:05 PM

Hey Skylr! I have tears running down my face as I see your beautiful mother's picture and read the stories posted here. I am a mother of 3 little ones and was diagnosed w/stage 3 breast cancer last December. Your mother sounds like she was a strong and Godly woman. I'm positive that it was harder for her to leave you than you can possibly imagine. That by far is my biggest fear, leaving my children without a mother. I'm sure you miss her so much. I know you will receive comfort by honoring the person that she was is all you do. God Bless!
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Abeyta ( Email ) at 11/21/2009 1:05 AM

Early detection to cancer should be done as community awareness and see universal access to cancer prevetion and treatment. it's a pathetic story. that God for husbands like Roberts. if all men were like him then people will live happily even after death having remembered good moments when he/she was alive.
Posted by: Grace ( Email ) at 3/22/2010 6:35 AM

Hello, I am a 45 year old mother of 2 adult children. I was diagnosed with stage 3C, HER2 positive breast cancer on May 15, 2009. I did have lymph node invasion. I did 3 months of chemo. I did a double masectomy on Dec 2, 2009 (even though I only needed one breast removed I opted to remove the other) I then did radiation every day for 6 1/2 weeks. I am so grateful to God for my family and some of my close friends. Family came to stay with me, and my close friends called me everyday, even when I didn't feel like talking. My fiance has been a tremendous blessing to me. He has been there at every appointment and every procedure. They said I am strong... They have no idea how much I feed off of their strength and encouragement :-)I will have reconstructive surgery around September/October of this year. I have a positive attitude and this is what has helped me through this time..To you who are going through this; It is important to keep a positive attitude. I was lucky enough to have worked from home through the majority of the process, so I was able to have maintained most of my routine. As of Dec 2nd, 2009 I am cancer free. Every now and then I get a little nervous but I remember how far I have come and all the people and support I have had. Even when people were not around God carried me through this. Now I am looking to some how to give back. I want to get involved and help others who are going through this.. I am doing the Relay For Life and the Susan G Komen survivor walks but if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them. Getting involved will help me heal emotionally.
Posted by: Sharon Penso ( Email ) at 3/24/2010 9:34 AM

Hi, I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. I was speechless and could not even move from the chair. My husband and I were holding hands. I felt I was in a dream or nightmare. All it came to my mind was my three children, a girl that will turn 15 in October, a boy that will turn 14 in July and my little girl that will turn 8 on April 12th. On April 12th is my surgery and they are taking off my left breast. Then I will wait for treatment, etc. My family, husband, friends, co-worker and neighbors are all supporting me. I am afraid but immediately I say in my head "Next" to move to something else and I repeat "God, thank you for my Healing" I am helping from now on with anything I can and I will walk and run to raise funds for research. I declared myself a cancer survivor the minute I stepped out of the doctor's office holding hands with my husband. God Bless all of you and us and all humanity. God Bless the doctors and plastic surgeon!!!!! I love life and I woke up this morning singing. God is Great.
Posted by: Carolina M. Jarquin ( Email ) at 4/8/2010 9:32 AM

Good afternoon, I was diagnosed with breast cancer August 2010. I was afraid but knew God would see me through, I thank GOD for my spiritual family at Full Gospel Family Outreach Ministries in Tulsa Okla. for all the help and support they gave, during this whole ordeal. It brought my daughters and I closer, you see I had a neverous breakdown in 2003, I became overwhelmed and was cover up pain, Darmesia Renee Cooper-jackson was ran over and killed in 1985. Today May 4, 2010 I am getting back in the race, same job different boss GOD. I thank God for my healing and renewing my mind. GOD bless!!!!!!!!
Posted by: cathey smith ( Email ) at 5/4/2010 11:20 AM