Connersville Native Faces Cancer Battle with Faith, Family, and Hope

For much of her life, a Connersville native has devoted herself to caring for others during their most difficult moments. Now, at 36 years old, Brittany (Campbell) Ma finds herself on the other side of that journey, facing cancer with the same courage and compassion she once gave to her patients.

A 2008 graduate of Connersville High School, Ma went on to attend Sterling College in Kansas, following in the footsteps of her parents. There, she earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training. But during her college years, her life took an unexpected and deeply personal turn.

Her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.

“I made as many trips home as I could while she went through treatments,” she recalled. “Watching her fight cancer deeply impacted me and ultimately changed my career path.”

Witnessing her mother’s strength inspired her to pursue nursing. She returned to school and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During that time, her mother’s health declined and she entered hospice care. Still, she was determined to support her daughter during one of the most meaningful milestones of her life.

“She was able to attend my nursing pinning ceremony,” she said. “She passed away just days later. I truly believe she held on long enough to see me reach that moment.”

Caring for her mother during that final year became one of the most humbling and emotionally difficult experiences of her life but it also shaped the kind of nurse she would become.

She began her nursing career at Reid Health, where she worked in several inpatient departments and built strong bedside skills. A few years ago, she felt a calling to apply for a position at the hospital’s Cancer Center.

“Something told me that was where I was meant to be,” she said.

At the time, she had no idea that one day she would walk through those same doors not as a nurse, but as a patient.

Life brought other challenges as well. Her daughters, Arianna and Brailynn, lost their biological father when they were just six months and two years old. She raised them on her own until she met her husband, Marshall.

“He is the love of my life,” she said.

Through their marriage, she gained another daughter, Martha, and the couple is currently in the adoption process so Arianna and Brailynn can take their family’s last name.

But earlier this winter, she began experiencing unexplained health issues — primarily related to her heart. Her blood pressure suddenly became dangerously high despite medication adjustments.

“One evening I looked at my husband and said, ‘Something is not right. Something is wrong with me,’” she said.

She went to the emergency room, where doctors initially struggled to find the cause. Later that night, an ultrasound and additional scans revealed something unexpected — a large mass on her right kidney pressing on a vein and causing the severe blood pressure spikes.

Soon after, a team of doctors entered her hospital room with devastating news.

“They believed it was cancer,” she said.

At just 36 years old, newly married and raising children, the diagnosis was overwhelming.

A urologist later confirmed the findings: a large renal mass with a tumor thrombus extending into the renal vein. Due to the complexity of the case, she was referred to Indiana University for surgery.

After weeks of waiting and praying that the mass might somehow be benign, surgery day arrived. She underwent a complex open abdominal procedure in which her right kidney, adrenal gland, and 16 lymph nodes were removed.

Recovery was painful, both physically and emotionally.

A week later, pathology results confirmed the diagnosis: Stage 3 clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Soon after, she walked through the doors of the Cancer Center, the same place where she once cared for patients, this time as a patient herself. She began treatments that will continue every three weeks for the next year.

While her cancer is not considered curable, she remains determined to live with faith and hope.

“My journey has come full circle,” she said. “From caring for my mother during her fight with cancer, to becoming an oncology nurse, and now facing cancer myself.”

The experience has changed her outlook on life.

Physically and emotionally, the journey has been challenging, but it has also deepened her appreciation for the moments that matter most.

“I’ve learned to slow down, accept help, and focus on what truly matters,” she said. “Finding strength and hope in every day, even during the hardest moments.”

Her message to others facing illness is simple but powerful.

“Be gentle with yourself. Allow yourself to feel every emotion. Lean on your loved ones and don’t be afraid to ask for help,” she said. “Take things one day at a time and celebrate the small victories.”

Faith has also played a major role in helping her stay strong.

“My mom once showed me what strength looks like during cancer,” she said. “Now I carry that strength with me every day as I fight my own battle.”

Looking ahead, she remains focused on her family, her nursing career, and living life fully.

“I want to continue being a loving wife and mother and supporting others going through cancer,” she said. “I’m grateful for every day God gives me with my family and friends.”

Because she has been unable to work since January while recovering from surgery and beginning treatment, the medical journey has also created a financial burden for her family. Frequent blood tests, doctor visits, scans, and medications have added significant costs.

To help during this time, her best friend created a fundraiser for the family.

Those wishing to support her journey can donate through her GoFundMe page:
https://gofund.me/7f40a585b

Through faith, family, and resilience, she hopes her story reminds others that even in the darkest moments, hope can still shine through.