Yolanda Miller’s strength to take center court at Hornets’ Breast Cancer Awareness Night

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When Yolanda Miller went in for her annual mammogram in November of 2022, she didn’t expect it to be the start of a life-changing journey.

 I had my annual mammogram and a couple of months later I started experiencing pain in my left breast,” Miller recalled. “I went through the whole process of having an ultrasound, biopsy, MRI. It came back that I had cancer. I was just thrown off because I thought I was well.”

At the time, Miller’s focus was on her three children: her daughter was earning her master’s degree, her oldest son was planning a wedding, and her youngest, Brandon Miller, was preparing for the 2023 NBA Draft.

“I had to do a hard pivot after receiving that diagnosis,” she said. “I went through several surgeries, removal of both breasts, reconstruction. Now that I’m cancer-free, I’m just happy and excited to be alive and grateful for everybody that was involved.”

The diagnosis brought fear and uncertainty, but also strength.

“You can’t cry enough, you can’t be mad enough, you can’t be disappointed or confused because you’re dealing with the unknown,” Miller said. “I didn’t know what I was going to experience. I just knew people go through chemo, radiation, and I worried I wouldn’t have the strength to make my kids’ games. I tried not to worry them until I could figure out how to handle this.”

Now, her resilience is taking center stage at the Charlotte Hornets’ Breast Cancer Awareness Night, an idea that HSE President Shelly Cayette came naturally.

“Yolanda is part of our family with Brandon,” Cayette said. “When we started talking about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it was immediate: how can we utilize her story to make sure we are being impactful and creating awareness?”

Cayette says General Manager Jeff Peterson and Head Coach Charles Lee emphasizes building around people, toughness, and togetherness.

“With hiring Jeff and Charles, they were focused on people, and Brandon epitomizes that,” Cayette said. “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. All that Yolanda has gone through shows where that toughness comes from: his mom.”

At the Hornets’ Breast Cancer Awareness game, Miller will finally get the moment she never had: the chance to ring the bell.

“My story was short-lived, but I’m so thankful I received that ‘you’re cancer-free’ diagnosis,” she said. “I didn’t get to ring a bell, so ringing it now is going to mean the world to me. It’s another sign that this is over, it’s behind me, and I can sound it off to the world.”

Miller says she’s trying to hold back tears ahead of the emotional moment. “I’m trying not to be emotional, but I started getting nervous about walking out and ringing the bell,” she said. “Hopefully I can do it in a way that gives people more strength and hope, that this too can be a thing of the past.”

The Hornets’ celebration will feature a “Starting 5” of survivors selected by Miller, a breast cancer survivor performing the national anthem, and concourse stations offering mammogram sign-ups through Novant Health, alongside Yolanda and Brandon’s Team Miller Foundation.

“It’s about action,” Cayette said. “It’s going to be a great game, but more importantly, it’s about connecting, creating awareness, and celebrating survivors.”

For Miller, the night is both a celebration and a reminder to others to prioritize their health.

“Being your own biggest advocate is the most important thing,” she said. “Do your self-exams, your annual screenings, get second and third opinions, and listen to your body. It will tell you when something’s off.”

“Everyone is connected in some way to someone impacted by breast cancer,” with Cayette reminding that 1/8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lives. “We want this to be a celebration as a night of awareness, action, and hope.”

For Yolanda Miller, it’s a moment to celebrate life and the strength it took to get here.

“It feels so great,” she said. “It means the world to know the Hornets and the community are keeping health awareness at the forefront of everything. I’m just so grateful.”

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