Cancer Can’t Stop Her

Brendy Best refuses to let a second cancer diagnosis keep her from helping people in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Twice, Brendy Best has heard the devastating words, “You have cancer.”

While the disease has sometimes knocked her down, the optimistic woman from the Caribbean island of Grenada keeps showing up to work in the soup kitchen four days a week at The Salvation Army in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, N.Y.

“I believe that something is going to work out and I always think that way—posi­tive thinking,” Brendy says. “I don’t allow negative thoughts. I pray every day, and my faith is very strong. One day at a time. I thank God every day that I get to see a new day, which I think is a blessing.”

Brendy was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The cancer returned last year, and she is following a similar treatment path once again.

Tiredness and fatigue, the unfortunate side effects of her treatment, caused Brendy to take off several months in late 2024, but sitting at home didn’t suit someone accustomed to being so active. She asked her doctor if she could return and was back at work in March. Her chemo treatments were reduced to once a month instead of weekly.

Brendy Best, a native of Grenada, packs up lunches at the Bushwick Corps in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“It’s hard sometimes, but when I think about it, I love what I do,” Brendy says. “I love to cook, and I love to feed people. It’s not always easy. Sometimes I’m tired and I want to sit because I don’t have the energy, but I love what I am doing here.

“When I see the smile on the people’s faces, especially the homeless people, it makes me feel good. They always come back and say, ‘thank you.’ That means the world to me. They were all happy to see me return. I love helping others and showing love.”

Keeping up the fight

Undergoing chemotherapy is arduous, but Brendy, a single mother, faithfully marches on to provide for her 18-year-old daughter, Megan, who is a college student.

“I didn’t want to get out of bed some days,” she says. “It’s painful. I would go to work on Monday and then lose energy the rest of the week.”

Not only did the treatment cause fatigue, but all food tasted like soap to Brendy, and she suffered discolored nails and blood clots that required surgery.

Brendy’s first cancer diagnosis came after she, normally an energetic person, experienced sudden bouts of lethargy.

“I was a bit tired,” she says. “I knew something was wrong.”

Doctors ran tests but found nothing. Then Brendy discovered a lump in her breast during a self-check. She went back to the doctor, and further tests confirmed the worst.

Brendy, 51, says the same symptoms reappeared in 2024. Doctors confirmed the cancer had returned 16 years after going into remission.

“I just put everything in God’s hands,” she says. “I worry sometimes, but other times I try not to think about it. If God lets me see today, He’s going to let me see tomorrow. If He wants me to be here, He’s going to keep me around. If He doesn’t want me here, He’s going to call my number. That’s how I go about it.”

Eternity on her mind

In a Facebook post earlier this year about her work in Bushwick, Brendy said, “You just gotta keep on fighting. Some days are better than other days, but honestly I’m just grateful. I’m grateful to be alive, and I’m happy that I can serve food to people who really need it. Being here helps take my mind off of everything, too, which is amazing. I love being a part of this community. Everyone has been so encouraging and supportive during this time.”

Brendy, a Seventh-day Adventist who came to the United States at age 23, says she reads her Bible and prays daily while doing devotions in the morning and evening. She also is often at the corps on Wednesday night for Bible study and sometimes helps with youth programming.

Brendy Best cooks beef stew at The Salvation Army’s Bushwick Corps in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she loves to serve those in need.

As she fights cancer a second time, Brendy admits she does sometimes think about eternity and how, even if she dies, she will be in the presence of God.

“I try to block it out of my mind,” she says. “I think, ‘I’m here and I’m going to get better.’ I think positive thoughts and that I’m going to be around to see my daughter finish college, get a job, and start her life. That’s what I ask God for every day.”

Holding up her arms

Throughout her journey, Brendy has received prayer, love, and support from everyone at the Bushwick Salvation Army, including Lieutenants Arren and Nastassja Boyd, the pastors in charge.

“I can truly feel the love,” Brendy says.

The Boyds say the church came alongside Brendy after her diagnosis, even helping her sort through insurance issues.

“We did a lot of calling and praying with her,” Lieutenant Arren says. “She was surrounded by a lot of prayer.”

The Boyds never considered hiring another employee in Brendy’s absence because of her commitment and strong work ethic. Brendy often comes in early to prep the kitchen.

Lieutenant Nastassja calls her “a big light to the community and the culture” at Bushwick. “She’s always volunteering, even outside her regular work,” she says.

Her positive attitude has impressed the Boyds and others around the church. Lieutenant Arren remembers when Brendy told him, “I have to fight this, so I can get back to serving the people.”

He says, “She’s a big presence in our community. Seeing the smiles she put on people’s faces when she came back, and how much people love her cooking, was really inspiring. She’s a warrior. She came back and just continues to do the Lord’s work in feeding people and really embodying what The Salvation Army is all about.”

Seeing Christ in her

Captain Clifford Douglas, who was the pastor at Bushwick before the Boyds, calls Brendy a “very valuable asset” to the church. While Brendy is an employee and was not technically a member of his congregation, Douglas still called to see if she needed anything as her medical bills took a toll financially.

“I didn’t see the people who worked there only as employees,” Douglas says. “They are people and an extension of the people we minister to. I saw her as my congregation as well, so I would check in on her. I would call her, pray with her, and share any encouragement.”

Douglas was struck by how positive Brendy was—she even showed up to help with Christmas ministries when it wasn’t part of her job.

“I never saw her come into the workplace unhappy, frustrated, or mad,” he says. “You would never know what she was going through until you had a conversation with her, and she shared. She always had this smile and warmth regardless of what she was going through. That in itself tells of her faith in God because no one can go through the struggles and the trials and have such joy.

Megan Bishop (right), Brendy Best’s daughter, packs lunch with fellow volunteer Anita Naggy.

“You don’t hear her questioning. She just keeps serving and doing what she has to do and that’s amazing to see. She has a heart for people and giving back.”

Lieutenant Arren says, “One thing Brendy always says is, ‘God is good.’ That’s an inspiration to all of us.”

Still going strong

As she recovers and regains her strength, Brendy shows no signs at all of slowing down. She is even taking classes through the online University of the People to earn her associate degree in business administration.

She also believes and takes strength from the words of 2 Corinthians 1:3–4, which says that God comforts us in our trials so that we can comfort others in their trials with the same comfort we received from God. Brendy often shares her journey with the people who come into the soup kitchen and offers advice like seeing a doctor, following their guidance, and making healthy lifestyle choices.

Her main message is to never give up on God, and she leans on such inspirational Bible verses as Philippians 4:13, Jeremiah 29:11, and Isaiah 41:10.

“I know it’s very hard sometimes, but I would tell them to put their faith and trust in God and have hope that it will work out,” Brendy says. “If you have faith like a mustard seed, you can make it through.

“Life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we react to it. There is always hope beyond what you see. It’s possible not just to survive but to thrive and to live a healthy, wonderful life again.”

photographs by Curtis Pan