Edna Campbell, the 5′ 8″ guard and star player for the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs, is best known for continuing her basketball career despite suffering breast cancer. The 10th overall draft pick, selected by the Phoenix Mercury during the 1999 Draft, she was left unprotected in the expansion draft the following year, and was chosen by the Seattle Storm. She became the new franchise’s go-to option, but when the team finished with a 6-26 record, she was traded to the Sacramento Monarchs.
During the second of her four seasons in Sacramento, Campbell was diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing treatment she was welcomed back for the Monarchs’ final game against Seattle during the 2002 season to thunderous applause. Campbell continued to play despite her illness, and has become a symbol to many survivors of the disease. She became the WNBA’s national spokesperson for its anti-cancer efforts with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and received the league’s Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award in 2003.
Campbell signed with the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2005, and played one season, before announcing her retirement on February 28, 2006. Edna Campbell’s return from breast cancer was nominated by fans as Most Inspirational for 2006, and one of the top four WNBA Anniversary decade moments. Shortly after retiring from basketball, Edna was hired as a television commentator for the San Antonio Silver Stars games. She became a nurse in 2008, and also marked her return to basketball by coaching high school girls at that time. Edna Campbell now travels across the country as a spokesperson for breast cancer awareness, encouraging women to do regular breast exams and inspiring those with cancer to have hope and courage in challenging the disease.
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Living With Breast Cancer
In this personal and moving presentation, Edna Campbell provides inspiration with the story of her life during and after breast cancer.
