MANSFIELD — Strong. Kind. Community-minded. Those are just a few words used to describe WMFD-TV news anchor Brigitte Coles.
Dozens of community members gathered at the Grotto Hall on Saturday to show their support to Coles, who underwent open heart surgery Wednesday to have a tumor removed. Coles was diagnosed with Spindle Cell Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in November.
To help offset her medical expenses, Richland Newhope Industries’ Women Empowerment group, in conjunction with Tog Loft and Friends of Brigitte Coles, organized a “Dance Extravaganza/Spaghetti luncheon” in her honor.
The fundraiser featured a raffle, silent auction and performances by the Richland Newhope Industries Dance Troupe and Shiloh Baptist Church’s Jesus Jewels dance team.
Aurelio Villa Luna Diaz, manager of social and integration services at Richland Newhope Industries Inc., said Coles served as a mentor for Richland Newhope’s Women Empowerment program. Coles made a profound impact on the participants and continued to maintain friendships with them after the program concluded, he said.
“When we heard she wasn’t doing well, we said, ‘Let’s do something,'” he said.
Coles was diagnosed with Histoplasmosis, a lung infection, and then suffered a pericardial effusion (fluid around her heart).
“She went quite awhile not knowing what was wrong…and she went through a lot of fear,” said Chelley Kemper, WMFD and Mix 106.1 host and personality. “I understand that because I went through cancer 16 years ago.”
Open heart surgery was needed in order to remove a cancer mass from her pulmonary artery. Kemper was proud to announce that Coles made it through surgery and is on her way to healing.
“She might be coming home this week,” she said.
One of Coles’ greatest assets is her faith in the Lord, Kemper said, noting that every time Coles sends a text to her, she wraps up her message with the phrase, “God is good.”
Angel Ross-Taylor said Coles is like a sister to her.
“I’ve always looked up to her,” she said.
Ross-Taylor had the opportunity to job shadow her when she was in high school.
“I always wanted to be in the news business because of Brigitte Coles,” she said.
And now they work together in a group known as “WE ACT,” which Ross-Taylor said has been a blessing.
“I do think that she is a warrior and she is going to be able to use this experience to empower others,” Ross-Taylor said.
Donate to Coles’ medical fund by visiting this GoFundMe page.
