Athens mom diagnosed with breast cancer creates ‘Hope in a Bag’ care packages for other patients

ATHENS, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — One year ago, Sabrina Bridwell went in for what she thought was a routine mammogram. Instead, she received a breast cancer diagnosis.

Bridwell, a single mother who has raised her son Jake on her own since his father was killed in a car crash when Jake was a baby, said the diagnosis presented her with a choice.

“I decided I could let this take over my life and I could be down in the dumps the whole time… or I could do something positive and keep moving forward,” Bridwell said.

‘Hope in a Bag’

Before she began treatment, Bridwell started assembling care packages she calls “Hope in a Bag.” Each bag contains candy, bath items, face masks and journals. Jake handwrites a note for every bag with the message: “You are not alone.”

“We just want to make sure everyone feels included… because this is a very lonely time for a lot of people,” Jake said.

Bridwell said the isolation of a cancer diagnosis is something those around a patient may not fully understand.

“You can be surrounded by people, but they haven’t been through it, so they really don’t know how you feel… and you feel very alone,” Bridwell said. “There’s somebody out there who has been through it — rooting for you, praying for you, thinking about you.”

300 bags and counting

Since her diagnosis, Bridwell has made 300 bags, including 100 delivered to a radiation clinic, and donated materials for 100 pillows.

Her surgeon, Dr. Eva Moore of Piedmont Physicians Surgical Breast Care Specialists, said Bridwell’s response to her diagnosis was uncommon.

“It’s very uncommon for somebody to want to give back immediately — before she even started treatment, she showed up with bags,” Moore said.

Moore said the ongoing effort has had a broader impact.

“To continue over time… is such a blessing to every other patient that we have,” Moore said.

Bridwell said she plans to expand the effort. “This year we are going to go big,” she said.

Surprise Squad visit

The Atlanta News First Surprise Squad, along with United Community, traveled to Athens to recognize Bridwell’s work. The visit included a $1,000 donation to support her mission.

“It will help — amazing! I can probably make a hundred more bags… 100 more,” Bridwell said upon receiving the check.

A second surprise was directed at Jake, who has expressed interest in attending the University of Georgia and joining the Redcoat Marching Band. He received a $500 gift card to the UGA Bookstore.

“Oh wow! That’s amazing! That’s perfect!” Jake said.

Jake described his mother’s approach to others.

“Whenever I think of my mom… caring… compassion… she’s always doing whatever she can for other people. She’s always giving her full heart to everyone else,” Jake said.

Bridwell said the recognition was meaningful. “It just fills my heart with joy,” she said.