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American Morning

Interview with Edna Campbell

Aired August 13, 2002 - 08:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

ARTHEL NEVILLE, CNN ANCHOR: A hoop star goes back on the court for the first time since being sidelined by a life-threatening illness. Edna Campbell watched the season from court side after being diagnosed with breast cancer in February. Her hair is gone as a result of chemotherapy treatments that doctors say saved her life. Now, in the nick of time, she'll be back tonight, playing in the Sacramento Monarchs last game of the season.
Edna Campbell joins us now from Sacramento -- good morning, Edna.

EDNA CAMPBELL, WNBA PLAYER, SACRAMENTO MONARCHS: Good morning.

NEVILLE: So good to see you here.

CAMPBELL: Thank you.

NEVILLE: Listen, you're going to play tonight, it the last season of the game, but you are back on the court, back in action. How important was that for you to get back on that court tonight?

CAMPBELL: It's just a statement to those going through cancer, breast cancer, and those who have been touched by breast cancer, and it's just a symbolic thing I wanted to do just to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

NEVILLE: Absolutely. And you know, you went to all the games, you were there on the sidelines, cheering and sharing with your teammates. I want to ask you, why did you take that approach, to be there, to fight, to say, Listen, here I am, people?

CAMPBELL: Well, it was one of those things where I just felt like I wanted a sense of normalcy in my life as I was going through my treatment and since my diagnosis, just to be a part of the things I normally do in my day-to-day life, and being with my team is one of those things. Their energy and their support was very critical at this time for me.

NEVILLE: Absolutely. And you know, you -- I understand you're normally a pretty private person, but you went on a campaign of sorts, and did a lot of interviews, talking about breast cancer awareness, and just went very public with this, and I think that would be quite inspirational for people going through this. Is that part, again, why you chose to attack it this way?

CAMPBELL: Well, it was something that's sort of -- sort of happened. I didn't make a conscious decision to go public, it was sort of a progression, in everything that has happened with me. And I'm thankful to be in this position. Being a professional athlete, the exposure that we receive, and just the opportunity to touch so many lives is a blessing. And, again, I'm thankful for this opportunity.

NEVILLE: Edna, if you wouldn't mind, would you tell us how you discovered you had breast cancer?

CAMPBELL: A lump was discovered. I had a mammogram, and then a bisectomy (ph) and then we snowballed from there. It was malignant. I had a lump removed. I've gone through chemotherapy, and am now going through radiation.

NEVILLE: And I understand you are going to have -- get a little radiation a little bit later this morning, is that correct?

CAMPBELL: Yes, I am on my way to radiation, then we have a shoot around this morning, and then game time.

NEVILLE: How does that make you feel, though? I mean, are you going to have enough energy to do this? Clearly, you seem...

CAMPBELL: Well, I think that there will be so much adrenaline, so much excitement in that gymnasium, that the energy won't be a factor.

NEVILLE: All right. You know what? We got to talk a little basketball here.

CAMPBELL: OK. All right.

NEVILLE: Next season, what's going to happen in the WNBA? Who is going to take it all?

CAMPBELL: Well, you can be sure that the Monarchs are going to be in the hunt for the championship next season.

NEVILLE: Absolutely. All right. And Edna, you know what? You know what? You got game? You still got it?

CAMPBELL: I still got it. I still got it.

NEVILLE: So, again, I think that tonight, when the fans see you up there playing -- I mean, it is just such -- like I just said, your story is so inspirational, and it's just going to mean so much more beyond the court there for so many people, and I just thank you for having the courage and sharing your story with everybody because you could have easily just kind of gone in a hole.

CAMPBELL: Well, thank you, and I just wanted to get out there and help my team end the season on a positive note, and share my victory with our fans, our organization, and the people who have supported me all through this.

NEVILLE: All right, Edna. You know what, I don't mean to be insensitive by telling you this -- but I want to tell you, you look -- I like you, the way your hair looks now. You know what I mean? Actually better than with the hair style. I really do. You look beautiful.

CAMPBELL: Thank you. Thank you.

NEVILLE: Edna Campbell, thank you so much, and you rock tonight, OK? Go get them!

CAMPBELL: Thank you.

NEVILLE: All right. Thanks so much for being here.

CAMPBELL: No problem.

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