A needle biopsy pierced her neck on Jan. 5, on Jan. 7 the preliminary reports showed concerning results, and on Jan. 14 the lump on her neck received a name: Squamous Cell Carcinoma, but for Receptionist Jan Albin these jumble of words translated to one thing.

Cancer.

“I had my suspicions because a lump appeared on the right side of my neck and it continued to grow,” Albin said. “I hadn’t had any ear infections or sore throats, so I assumed it was not any infectious disease.”

For Albin, cancer didn’t represent something to be afraid of: it represented the love and support she said she received from her family, school and God.

The cancer is considered highly curable, and doctors performed surgery on Feb. 27 to remove the tumor in her tongue, right tonsil and two lymph nodes that were cancerous. After undergoing surgery, Albin began preventative radiation at MD Anderson in Houston.

However, Albin has not had to go through this alone.

“I’ve received more love and support from everyone than I deserve,” Albin said. “Praise God I’m not in this alone.”

Support for Albin has come in many forms. Albin’s niece planned a “Kickin’ Cancer with Jan” weekend for the girls of the family, spending the weekend in Dallas. Dawn Hatch, mother to Rider graduates Josh and John Hatch, made t-shirts and Cheer and Dance coach Krista McKinney did a 30 Days of Love campaign, collecting gifts to give to Albin for every day of the month.

“I wanted something to involve the whole staff,” dance instructor Krista McKinney said. “We wanted to let her know that she is loved so much.”

After being a member on staff for 10 years, Vice Principal  TiAda Radtke said that she is a valuable member of staff and has always supported Rider one hundred percent by always being at games.

“She has just the right personality,” Radtke said. “She is very kind, but at the same time she is stern enough to say no whenever she needs to.”

Upon learning of her cancer, Albin said she began to grow closer to God. During her radiation treatment, her shoulders and head were bolted to a table for four minutes and Albin said she remained calm by having conversations with Jesus.

“I don’t know how people who don’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior get through any crisis,” Albin said. “I’ve had peace that surpasses all understanding throughout this entire journey because He is my rock.”

Looking back upon her experiences with cancer, Albin said she has learned to replace her negative thoughts of people because she never knows what is going on in someone’s life. Instead she said she prays for everyone she comes in contact with.

“I’ve learned there is always more I can do to help someone,” Albin said. “There are always more ways to show love to people.”