Bishop Branford Dean Pledges to Champion Cancer Awareness After Recovery
Bishop Branford Dean, pastor of the National Church of God, has pledged to become an advocate for cancer awareness following his recovery from the disease.
To celebrate being declared cancer-free and give thanks to God, Bishop Dean hosted five days of activities under the theme “Cancer Awareness & Celebration of Hope.” The observance ran from August 26 to 30 and combined worship, music, health education and personal testimony.
Apostle Raymond Wells spoke at the opening service, while Pastor Keith Medows was the guest speaker on the second night. The third evening featured a concert at the Alice and Alice Shopping Center with Pastor Oslien Jadorte.
A health fair was held at the shopping center on the fourth day. The celebration culminated with a service at the National Church of God, where Bishop Delton Ellis of Mount Tabor Church, The Bahamas, delivered the featured message.
During Sunday’s service, Bishop Dean reflected on his cancer journey and expressed gratitude for another opportunity to serve God and his community.
“I thank God for being in the land of the living,” he said. “There is absolutely nothing that can deter me, slow me down or stop me from praising God and carrying the message throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Bishop Dean said he received medical clearance in the Turks and Caicos Islands on June 8 after undergoing a PET scan. He travelled to Nassau the following day and received further clearance there on June 10.
He described June 8 as his “fourth birthday” and said the experience had given him a new mission beyond preaching the Gospel: encouraging people to pay attention to changes in their bodies and seek medical care promptly.
“Early detection saves lives,” he declared.
Bishop Dean revealed that he had noticed a lump on the side of his neck but initially ignored it because it did not hurt or cause discomfort. He lived with the lump for approximately six months before a woman with medical experience noticed it and advised him to have it examined.
After returning to the Turks and Caicos Islands, he underwent several scans, but the cause of the lump remained undetermined. He later travelled to Nassau for further testing. Nearly eight months after he first noticed the growth, Bishop Dean insisted on getting a definitive answer.
Doctors eventually performed a biopsy. The procedure revealed that the lump, which was deeply embedded in his neck, was cancerous.
“That little thing will bring you to your knees,” Bishop Dean said as he recalled the pain and discomfort he experienced during treatment. “Sometimes I was curled up in bed, crying. My wife would ask if I was okay, and the only thing I could do was groan.”
Despite the difficult experience, Bishop Dean said his faith remained strong. He thanked his wife, family, medical teams and church community for supporting him throughout his illness and recovery.
“Through many dangers, toils and snares, I’m still here,” he said. “I’m more encouraged to do the work of God and more encouraged to tell people that He is able.”
Bishop Dean also recalled the emotional welcome he received from relatives at the Alice and Alice Shopping Center after completing treatment. Family members surprised him with a sign announcing that he had defeated cancer.
He said he added an important qualification to that message: “Through the grace of God.”
Bishop Dean expressed special appreciation to the medical professionals in Nassau who educated him about cancer. He also praised the Oncology Department at InterHealth Canada in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the compassion and care its staff provided.
Although he acknowledged that the local healthcare system faces staffing and resource challenges, Bishop Dean urged residents to support healthcare workers and pray for improvements.
“Keep our health system in your prayers,” he said. “If you don’t pray for anything else, pray for our health system.”
Above all, Bishop Dean encouraged people not to dismiss unexplained lumps or other changes in their bodies simply because they are painless.
“Whatever you see that is different on your body, please go to the doctor and check it out,” he urged.
Now cancer-free, Bishop Dean intends to use his testimony to promote screening and early diagnosis throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, sharing a message born from his own experience: early detection can save lives.
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