Carolind Graham’s life of faith, family and surviving breast cancer
WHEN Carolind Graham reflects on her 76 years, what stands out is not a single career milestone or personal achievement, but a life defined by perseverance and dedication through faith and service. Born in Kingston, she recalls her early foundation being shaped by the community spirit of Elletson Methodist Church.
She credits those formative experiences with instilling values that would guide her through triumphs and trials alike. Her academic journey began at Blake Prep School before she moved on to St Andrew High, a place where she thrived in both academics and extra-curricular activities. She represented the school in Girls’ Champs, captained her house sports team, and served as a prefect. Despite her accomplishments, she admits, “To be perfectly honest, I had no real future goals. I knew I didn’t want to do anything in the health field but I was open to anything else.”
That openness allowed her to carve an unexpected and multifaceted career path. She began at VMBS, and from there she joined NCR Jamaica as a trainee and rose to manager of information systems, later moving on to Colgate Palmolive in a similar role. But when motherhood called, Graham stepped back from the corporate ladder to spend more time with her young children.
Her career thereafter was anything but linear. She set up an information technology programme at Wolmer’s Preparatory, ran a pastry shop, oversaw the construction and management of Wolmer’s Boys’ canteen, worked as bursar at Vaz Prep, and even managed her own mortgage brokerage company. Looking back, she acknowledges her drive: “I like challenges and the opportunity to overcome them.”
Through it all, she credits her faith as her anchor. That grounding in spirituality became even more vital when she was faced with one of her greatest challenges: a breast cancer diagnosis.
In 2004 Graham’s life shifted dramatically. She remembers the disbelief of the moment with piercing clarity: “It cannot be true. There is no history of this disease in my family. What will happen next?” The hardest part of her journey, she admits, was accepting the physical and emotional reality of losing a breast.
”My husband was a tower of strength in this period,” she said. And in her darkest moment she found light through Reach to Recovery, a support group for women navigating breast cancer. Introduced to the group by her gynaecologist, Dr David Thwaites, she recalls the reassurance she felt: “Seeing women who had been able to surmount the diagnosis that I was facing encouraged me.”
What began as a source of comfort became her lifelong mission. She not only joined the group but rose to become chairman, leading its efforts to support women through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery while raising awareness about breast cancer across communities.
“Since then, I have been actively involved in offering support and encouragement to women diagnosed with breast cancer as well as providing information on the disease to groups in an effort to increase their awareness,” she says with pride.
Outside of her advocacy, Graham’s life is centred on family. Married for 47 years, she cherishes time with her six children, their spouses, and her 11 grandchildren.
“My biggest life achievement is to see all six of my children grow up and take their place in life and have families of their own,” she shared.
Whether gathered for family celebrations or simply enjoying the company of her grandchildren, she finds joy in these simple moments. She also delights in following sports, particularly tennis tournaments like the US Open and Wimbledon, though she admits watching West Indies cricket comes with “great distress”. At home, she enjoys crossword puzzles, television, and long conversations with her husband.
Her philosophy is rooted in values she has carried throughout her life: ‘Everybody deserves respect’, ‘Do unto others what you would like them to do unto you’, and ‘Try always to be positive and stay calm’.
Having faced breast cancer and emerged as a source of strength for others, Graham has clear advice for women just receiving their diagnosis. “The doctor plays an important role in the sharing of this diagnosis. He/she should reassure the patient that this diagnosis does not mean death. This is something the patient needs to hear. The doctor should refer the patient to a support group. Being able to speak with someone whom she knows has recovered from the disease is comforting.”
To younger women, her counsel is equally grounded in positivity and perspective. “We have one life to live. In times of stress, always see the glass as half-full, never half-empty.”
As for the legacy she hopes to leave behind: “Be the best that you can be. Recognise that every day is special. Trust in God; He has promised never to forsake you”.
Carolind Graham reflects a life of courage, faith, and service –– proof that even through breast cancer and life’s challenges, hope and joy endure..
