By Abidemi Adebamiwa, Newspot Nigeria Tribute Editorial
June is National Cancer Survivors Month — a time to celebrate the strength of those who have fought cancer, those still fighting, and those who, though no longer with us, continue to survive through the love they inspired and the legacies they left behind.
Today, I pause to honor Cassandra Kirkland, my friend — a star on and off the golf course — whose brilliance was matched only by her bravery.
Cassandra was a standout golfer, born in Paris to a French mother and American father, and an academic powerhouse who graduated from the University of Arizona with honors. As a professional, she competed on the Ladies European Tour, claiming victories like the 2012 Sanya Ladies Open, and charming the golfing world with her elegance, drive, and deep intelligence.
We spoke often during her early professional days. I tried to help her secure sponsorships and watched her compete — sometimes in the middle of the night — cheering her on from across time zones. Just this past week, as I sat watching the U.S. Open, the memories came pouring in — those nights spent watching her tee off with grace and purpose, knowing that she carried both talent and heart in every swing.
In 2015, Cassandra was diagnosed with lung cancer — a shocking reality for someone who had never smoked. The signs were subtle at first. She said once:
“I just thought I was tired because of my workouts… or the tournaments. I never imagined it was anything else.”
That moment still echoes today — not only as a personal memory, but as a solemn reminder to all of us: never ignore persistent fatigue or unexplained changes in your body. No matter how busy, young, or seemingly healthy we feel, regular medical checkups are essential. Sometimes what we dismiss as exhaustion from work, exercise, or stress could be the earliest signal that something deeper needs attention.
Cassandra didn’t shrink from the truth once she knew it. She rose to meet it. She fought with courage, raised awareness with fire, and inspired with everything she had. Her “F#@* Cancer” t-shirts weren’t just slogans — they were battle standards that gave others strength.
She passed on April 30, 2017, but she survived in every way that matters. In memory. In impact. In legacy.
This month, as we celebrate survivors, we also honor those whose lives were cut short — but whose spirit never was. They survived through the lessons they left behind, through the people they moved, and through the causes they ignited.
💜 To Cassandra, and to every fighter, dreamer, and doer — you are not forgotten. You are celebrated.
Sleep on, friend.
You fought with grace.
You lived with light.
And though your voice is quiet now,
your legacy echoes louder than ever.
Rest well, Cassandra. You are loved — and never forgotten. 💜
