STANLY COUNTY, N.C. — LaQuisha Martin-Hillian describes her mom as a firecracker.
“She was a true firecracker," Martin-Hillian said. "She loved the Lord. Boasted on God every chance she had. She loved laughter."
Bernice Martin, better known as Mama Bernice, also loved her family.
“She was a lumber grader. She was the only Black woman, but she became the lead grade,” Martin-Hillian said. “So, in my high school years back in 1991 to 1995, she would come into the gymnasium when I played basketball. She would have on her hard hat, her earplugs around her neck, (and) her steel-toed shoes.”
About 10 years ago, after retiring, Martin moved to Charlotte to be closer to Martin-Hillian and her family. Near the end of 2021, Martin-Hillian said she noticed something was off with her mom.
“I knew something was wrong. She was different, but she never said anything. So, we had a conversation in January,” Martin-Hillian said.
In February of 2022, tests by doctors confirmed that Martin had small-cell lung cancer. During treatment, Martin, with the support of family, maintained her faith.
“She was speaking life into the situation and that was the type of person she was,” Martin-Hillian said.
On Nov. 8, 2022, Martin lost her battle with cancer at 64 years old.
“I immediately went into grief therapy," Martin-Hillian said. "My therapist would continue to encourage me to journal."
Through her journaling, the idea of helping others in a similar situation came to mind.
Recently, Martin-Hillian started the nonprofit organization BUFF, which stands for Bernice Unwavering Fearless Faith.
“My mom smoked for many years. You don’t have to have smoked to receive a diagnosis of lung cancer,” Martin-Hillian said.
The American Lung Association says African Americans with lung cancer are 15% less likely to be diagnosed early, while Latino Americans are 16% less likely to be diagnosed early.
Martin-Hillian said she uses BUFF as an opportunity to educate people, but its services also extend far beyond education.
“We’re focusing on the Mama and Me club. For those individuals who have lost their moms,” Martin-Hillian explained.
Right now, BUFF is providing services in six counties in the Charlotte area.
BUFF provides gift bags and boxes full of essentials to patients and caretakers. The organizations also give out gas cards and help with rent and utilities.
WCNC Charlotte's Nick Sturdivant asked Martin-Hillian what Mama Bernice would say about her daughter's work helping others with lung cancer.
“Look at my God in you,” Martin-Hillian answered with a smile.
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