Centre, AL – Jhaylan Redwine, a 25-year-old nursing student at Gadsden State Community College, exemplifies resilience and determination as she balances her educational pursuits, military service, and a courageous battle with cancer. A member of the Army National Guard, Redwine is also a cancer survivor, continuing her journey toward a future dedicated to healing and service.
As a non-traditional student, Redwine returned to college after a break in her studies. She graduated from Model High School in Rome, Georgia, in 2017 and took classes intermittently at Georgia Highlands College before deciding to pursue military service. She joined the Army National Guard in September 2021, completing basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, followed by job training as a tactical truck operator in Missouri.
Her decision to enlist came after working three jobs to support herself while attending college. “I decided to look into military service to earn a GI Bill so I could stick to school without working 80 hours a week to support myself and pay tuition,” Redwine said.
Now a member of the 1160th Transportation Company in Rome, Georgia, Redwine has also worked at Advent Health Redmond for six years, gaining valuable experience in the medical field through roles in the dietary department, as a phlebotomist, and as a nurse technician. She is in her final semester of Gadsden State’s Nursing Program.
Redwine’s passion for nursing was inspired by her grandmother’s battle with Parkinson’s disease. “I felt I could help her like her nurses were, but I didn’t know how,” she explained. “I decided to learn to help my grandma.”
However, in May 2023, Redwine faced her own health challenge. Initially attributing her fatigue to her demanding schedule, she soon discovered her hemoglobin levels were dangerously low, requiring a blood transfusion. A subsequent scan revealed a mass in her colon, leading to a diagnosis of stage 3 signet ring cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Despite this diagnosis, Redwine remained committed to her studies. Just a week after receiving the news, she showed up for an exam at Gadsden State Cherokee, determined to continue her path toward becoming a nurse. “It was important that I stuck to my studies,” she said.
Over the next seven months, Redwine underwent chemotherapy while continuing her coursework. She attended classes and clinicals with a backpack containing her chemotherapy treatment, demonstrating her unwavering determination to achieve her goals.
With the support of her instructors, fellow students, and family members, including her grandfather Ronnell Redwine and her aunt Robbie Redwine, she persevered through the challenging treatment. Classmate Hannah Womack played a crucial role, helping with transportation to clinical assignments and providing encouragement.
In July, Redwine received the news that her scans were clear of cancer, though she will continue regular check-ups due to the high risk of recurrence. “Being in remission feels like I accomplished something I couldn’t control,” she said. “I’m healthier, I’m stronger, and I’m no longer ‘foggy.'”
Redwine will join her classmates on December 12 for the traditional nursing pinning ceremony, followed by her graduation from Gadsden State Cherokee on December 19. Reflecting on her journey, she encourages others to pursue their dreams despite challenges. “You have to be resilient. If it’s not earned, it’s not worth it,” she said.
For more information about the Nursing Program at Gadsden State Cherokee, visit www.GadsdenState.edu/Cherokee.
