In June of 2015, Evett noticed a pea-sized mass under her left breast.  By the time she was officially diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) in July, the mass had grown to the size of a large grapefruit.  IBC is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1% of all breast cancer cases in the United States are IBCs.  IBC usually starts with the reddening and swelling of the breast instead of a distinct lump that we are trained to examine for.  IBC tends to grow and spread quickly, with symptoms worsening within days or even hours.  After six months of the strongest possible chemotherapy treatments, a partial mastectomy, and 62 days of radiation therapy, Evett rang the bell, signifying her completion of treatment.  Her cancer was gone.  Two months later the cancer returned and metastasized. Evett succumbed to the disease on July 25, 2016.  Evett was a newlywed wife, married for one year and eleven months to the love of her life and an exceptional mother to a son and daughter, ages 18 and 14.  During her battle against cancer, she became a champion for breast cancer awareness, urging everyone she met to make healthy life choices and to get screenings for cancers of all types.

She faced each day of her illness with great courage.  

She is, and will forever be, our hero.