Savannah pastor and two-time cancer survivor advocates at State Capitol

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A Savannah pastor and two-time cancer survivor is advocating for better access to cancer care across Georgia.

Jill Henning, a Lutheran pastor, wife, and mother, recently traveled to the Georgia State Capitol to speak with lawmakers on behalf of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

“I wanted to do whatever I needed to do to get rid of the cancer,” Henning said, reflecting on her battle with triple-negative breast cancer.

Henning was first diagnosed in her early 40s and successfully beat the disease. Four years later, after a persistent cough, she requested an X-ray and learned the cancer had returned, spreading to her lungs and esophagus. Doctors diagnosed her with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and gave her six months to live.

“My lungs were full of cancer, my esophagus was full of cancer, and at that point, they gave me six months to live. That obviously was a scary time,” she said.

Thanks to advances in research and treatment, Henning is now disease-free. For the past 12 years, she has made it her mission to advocate for others facing cancer.

Last month, she pushed for policies that increase access to care and raise Georgia’s tobacco tax, which is currently 37 cents per pack — one of the lowest in the nation. Henning said higher tobacco taxes can reduce smoking and prevent future cancer cases.

“I’m privileged, I know I’m privileged because I have access to those doctors. I have access to the resources. And I want to fight for people who don’t have that access. Here in the state of Georgia, 68,000 people will hear what I had to hear, and that breaks my heart,” Henning said.

She hopes to improve care for rural communities, expand treatment for the uninsured, and address medical disparities that disproportionately affect communities of color.

“It’s the future of this state,” Henning said.