WARRIOR SPOTLIGHT
“You Don’t Have to Be Strong All the Time”
Avril’s Cancer Journey
A cancer diagnosis can change everything—your health, your routine, your finances, your relationships, and the way you see the future.
For Avril A. Thomas Smith, that reality began on August 7, 2024, when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.
Today, Avril is sharing her story not because the journey has been easy, but because she wants other people facing cancer, and the people standing beside them, to know that they are not alone.
When Everything Changed
“When I was diagnosed, I felt like everything was spinning,” Avril shared.
Her doctor explained her diagnosis, treatment options, surgery, prognosis, and how to manage the symptoms she could expect. But knowing what was ahead did not make the emotional weight of the diagnosis any easier.
“Cancer impacted my daily life in so many ways. I was faced with depression, no energy, and a limited ability to perform my daily tasks at work.”
The impact extended beyond her own health. With her ability to work affected and only her husband working, the financial strain became another source of stress.
“We could only pay for the main things and make sure we had money to help with my doctors’ visits and lab work. I was behind thousands of dollars.”
For Avril, some of the biggest challenges were not knowing what would happen next and trying to navigate a life that suddenly looked very different.
“My biggest concerns were fear, uncertainty, and life disruptions. I didn’t think I would be here today.”
Sometimes Support Begins With Someone Simply Asking, “Are You OK?”
Avril first connected with Cancer Support VI through an unexpected moment at work.
Chrystie Payne saw Avril at a local food establishment and noticed that she wasn't herself.
“She came into my job [at McDonald’s] and saw I wasn’t feeling like myself like always. She asked if I was OK.”
That simple question is a reminder of how important it can be to notice when someone is struggling, and to take the time to ask.
A cancer journey can be isolating. Sometimes, knowing that someone sees you, hears you, and is willing to listen can be an important first step.
Finding a New Perspective
Cancer has also changed the way Avril looks at her own life.
“I have accepted new changes, started setting new priorities, started to exercise, and started taking care of myself.”
Those changes did not erase the difficult parts of her experience. Instead, they became part of learning how to move forward.
Her experience has also shaped what she believes people facing cancer need most: practical assistance, emotional support, and people who are willing to stand beside them and their families.
“Always provide essential emotional well-being and practical assistance for caregivers, something to help with your outcomes and to improve them. Your family to support you 1000%.”
Her Message to Someone Facing Cancer
When asked what she would say to someone navigating their own cancer journey, Avril didn't offer a complicated answer.
She offered compassion.
“Always let them know I’m here for you. You are not alone. Take all the time you need to talk. I’m in your corner. You’re stronger than you know.”
She continued:
“I’m here to listen, whether you want to talk about it or just vent. I can’t imagine how tough this is, but I’m here for you.”
And then came the message she most wants people to remember:
“You don’t have to be strong all the time. It’s OK to cry.”
You Are Not Alone
Avril's story is a reminder that cancer affects far more than a diagnosis or a treatment plan. It can affect work, finances, relationships, mental and emotional well-being, and the simple routines of everyday life.
It is also a reminder that support matters.
At Cancer Support VI, our mission is to ensure that no Virgin Islander fights cancer alone. We are grateful to Avril for trusting us with her story and for sharing words that may reach someone who needs to hear them today.
If you or someone you love is facing cancer, please know that you do not have to navigate the journey alone.