Brenda Smith was the first Black female police officer in the state of Nebraska. Following a 25-year career with the Omaha Police Department, she retired as assistant police chief and started teaching criminal justice at Metropolitan Community College (MCC). A loving mother, grandmother and daughter, she also helped care for her ailing mom and dad for many years before they both passed away in 2019.  

“I’m one of those that loved my parents deeply – still do,” she reflected. “They got me through having cancer. They were so supportive.” 

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Brenda’s own tumultuous health journey began in October 2009, with an abnormality on her breast cancer screening. Her doctor told her to come back in six months and with a second screening, determined a biopsy was needed.  

A few days later, Smith was preparing for class at MCC when she received a call and heard the dreaded words: “You have cancer.” 

Smith started treatment right away, relying on her OB-GYN of 20 years to help her find the best physicians for her care. Recommending an MRI, Smith’s oncologist worked with her insurance company, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE), to approve the test. 

That’s when they discovered a second spot of cancer that hadn’t originally appeared on her mammogram. 

“If [my doctor] had not done an MRI – if [BCBSNE] hadn’t approved it – they wouldn’t have known about the second spot,” Smith said. “I could have been gone in six months, as aggressive as it was.” 

Smith underwent a lumpectomy to remove the cancerous tissue and had 37 sessions of radiation treatment. Her days consisted of a grueling schedule: Treatment in the morning, teaching classes throughout the day, then heading home at night, exhausted. 

The support of her family, including her beloved parents, and a chance to connect with other women in a similar situation, helped lift her spirits. 

“What I really loved about BCBSNE is that they afforded me the opportunity to go have yoga at no cost to me. I actually did that with a group of women who had breast cancer, as well. That was so positive for me; I felt like ‘I’m going to make it through.’”  

Smith took a few semesters off from teaching at MCC to focus on treatment – continuing to receive mammograms every three months. Two years after surgery, she was able to extend her mammograms out to six months apart.  

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Unfortunately, at her checkup appointment in 2012, Smith found herself back in the waiting room, praying with a stranger, only to discover her cancer had returned in almost the same spot.  

This time, she underwent a double mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery.  

Smith’s results? Cancer-free, making her a two-time breast cancer “survivor/thriver.” 

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Today, she has returned to teaching at MCC and spending as much time as possible with her three children and 11 grandchildren. 

“I am so blessed to have BCBSNE [insurance] as an Omaha Police Department retiree and a Metro Community College instructor, as I was basically covered 100% during the most difficult times of my life,” she said. 

Smith’s story is just one of many. Share your own health journey at NebraskaBlue.com/YourStory 

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