577/15/2019
I was originally born in Waco, Texas to a teenage mom. It’s safe to say that we grew up together and we were best friends until she took her last breath on December 18, 2018. Her drive, will, and determination along with the daily guidance from my step-father (Fred) is what fuels me to be the person I am today. Also, my late wife Jamila Barefield who left this earth on September 5, 2017, due to complications with colon cancer is one of the voices I hear in my mind that says, “You can do whatever you set your mind to do.”
One late night back in 2017, Jamila was asleep on the couch when all of a sudden she jumped up and said, “Get a pen and a piece of paper. I have something I need for you to write down.” She then began to rattle off things such as blankets, socks, coloring books, journals, inspirational quotes, etc. and said that all of those items needed to be put in a small carry bag for chemotherapy patients. That is how the “Chemo Bags” came into existence. Because Jamila had taken chemo, she knew two things about it. One, it gets very cold in there and secondly, you can get very bored. So, all those items were essential to the bags. Lastly, the socks were added in because we had a friend from Tennessee who had passed away from colon cancer (Marcell Myles) who had started passing out crazy colored socks to chemo patients at the facility where he took his treatment. They called it, “Rock the Socks” so they are in there to honor his memory.
The bags are filled through donations made to the non-profit Milas Journey Foundation. I normally do a lot of “Begging with A Purpose.” I would love to have sponsors help and my ultimate goal is to get on the Ellen Show and tell Mila’s story to solicit sponsors.
The community could be very helpful in doing some small socks, blankets, journals, etc. drives at their churches and other areas. Set up a couple of boxes where donations can be made. Or contact me and I will gladly accept all monetary and tangible donations.
I served in the United States Army for six years before I was medically retired due to some physical and mental issues. It was also around the time Jamila had been diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer after she had an emergency appendectomy. So, she was recovering from major surgery and taking chemotherapy at the same time. It was very stressful due to the fact that I had just gotten help for my mental health issues that I had suppressed for two years even though I worked in the facility that had the mental health therapists right upstairs.
So, when I received my medical retirement I started a company called Screaming on The Inside that deals with men and young boys who are afraid to talk about their mental health issues because it makes them look and feel weak. When in all honesty the weakness is in not getting help. I have a conference that I do every year that has the same title as the company but with different themes. My goal is to help every man who struggles with this, especially minority males who have the mindset that you don’t go and tell your business and family problems to no stranger. That is how I grew up. Outside of the matriarch of the family which is the grandmother. You only told your problems to the Pastor or someone he deemed worthy, which is wrong because neither have the training or background to really help.
I became a colon cancer ambassador in 2018 because I didn’t want anyone else to go through what I had gone through with Jamila’s passing. It wasn’t until her mother was diagnosed in 2012 that I even knew what colon cancer was. I was very oblivious to what the disease was and how it could be prevented. So now my goal is to spread as much awareness as I can.
Those two aforementioned reasons are why I am currently doing what I call, “5Kin50.” I am doing a 5K in all 50 states to bring awareness to colon cancer and mental health issues. Every state that I go to I makes sure to find a chemo center to donate the bags to as well. My mission is to bring awareness to both causes and hopefully provide a spark for individuals to seek the necessary medical attention needed.
I will never forget the conversation Jamila and I had once they told her she was entering into home care hospice and was given six months to a year to live. At the time she was 37 years old with four kids and two grandkids. When we were alone she said, “I know that this battle I am facing isn’t just for me. It’s for the others who will watch me go through this with a smile on my face. Jesus was put on this earth to be an example of how we should live, but also as a living sacrifice. I am willing to sacrifice if it will benefit others.”
Those are the exact same words I live by daily. I just want to do my part in honoring God, Jamila, and my mother (Rosalind Rice) while being a blessing and example to others.
Social Media:
Facebook – Brian Barefield
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Email:
Milasjourney78@gmail.com
Brian_barefield@yahoo.com