The Keller Family - Redefining Bravery

By Caroline Smith

Photos By Tori Steyne

Strong, kind, passionate, selfless, and brave with an infectious smile are a few ways to describe Janna Longshore. Janna was born and raised in Newberry her whole life. She spent her younger years trying to do anything and everything her big brother and his friends were doing. Backyard sports, YMCA, and recreation league sports were where all spare time was spent. Janna went to Newberry Academy through 7th grade, where she swam on the swim team and played basketball and volleyball. She carried on with her athleticism through swimming and playing basketball and volleyball at both Newberry Middle School and Newberry High School. Janna received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology from Newberry College and is Newberry’s local hero. From being a Deputy with our County Sheriff’s department, to participating in local events and charities, many can say that Janna has, at some point, touched their lives somehow. In mid-2021 Janna’s entire world was changed at the age of 28, with a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer. This is her story and what we as a community are doing to support her.

Janna’s health story starts back in 2019, when she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after years of stomach issues and constant weight fluctuation. Her body was tired and not in a healthy state. Due to this disease and the struggles that the medication caused, both her and her boyfriend, Chris Keller, who has similar problems with Crohn’s disease, knew they needed to make healthier lifestyle changes. In early 2020, Janna and Chris were on the path of focusing on making nutrition and exercise their top priorities. If you know Janna, you know she has trained as a CrossFitter, and then became focused into Olympic weightlifting since strength is her strong suit. Just to put it into perspective and boast a bit, her bench press reached 240 lbs., deadlift 385 lbs., and she was able to squat 335 lbs. Together Chris and Janna were increasing their cardio as well, running 2 to 3 times a week.

All athletes are well in-tune with their body and know when things are a little bit off. Janna first noticed she wasn’t hitting her lifting goals, which can be frustrating but is not a full set back. In the summer of 2020, things started changing and becoming more noticeable. Janna started to experience headaches and vision disturbances that caused sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds. Migraine medicine was prescribed for her, but didn’t seem to ease the pain or other symptoms. Janna went through blood work, MRIs, and many other screenings, which all were coming back clear. Janna did get genetic testing done that did show the BRCA1 and Chek2 gene mutations, which both make you a higher risk for certain cancers. However, no testing done showed any signs of cancer.

On July 23rd of 2021, Janna’s summer day with her mom came to a halt. She was planting flowers in her yard and her world was shaken when she experienced a very violent Grand Mal seizure. She was rushed to the Newberry County Hospital, where they did a chest x-ray and brain CT scan. The doctors revealed to her and her family that there was a tumor in her left lung about the size of a lime and multiple metastasized lesions on her brain. At 28 years old, Janna received the devastating news that she had stage 4 lung cancer. Janna has never smoked a day in her life.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world today. Lung cancer has been the “leading cancer killer in both men and women in the U.S.” states the American Lung Association. It accounts for 25% of all cancer deaths and is primarily found in men. Lastly, the average age to be diagnosed with lung cancer is 60. For Janna, being a non-smoking female under the age of 30 who leads a fairly healthy life, getting lung cancer just did not seem to make sense.

Lung Cancer research is the most underfunded out of all cancer types. Janna has asked that donations be made to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation to help find a cure to this disease and help all others who will go through similar battles with lung cancer in the future.

Since being diagnosed, Janna has gathered a very talented team of medical staff that are optimistic about their treatment plan. She is still taking immunotherapy and chemotherapy every three weeks. She has completed full brain radiation, which seems to have worked to kill the brain metastases that were growing. She has gone through many ups and downs through this treatment journey and still has a long road ahead of her. She would like continued prayers for strength and healing for her body. Currently, she is spending time with family, including her mom, Cherrie, her boyfriend, Chris Keller, and his sons, Crue and Gauge. Janna looks forward to getting back into the gym, hunting, and going to baseball games. Go Whitmire Wolverines!

There was a Dance-A-Thon fundraiser, put on by Dance-2-Fit, on February 25th to raise money for Janna’s continued medical cost as well as a Dead Lift for Life fundraiser that was put on last year by Bear Arms Fitness. There have been many t-shirt and sticker fundraisers put on by friends. There have also been raffles and BBQ fundraisers. If you would like to make a donation to Janna and her family, please contact Chris Keller or Janna Longshore on Facebook messenger.

Janna would encourage you to look for ways to make a difference with the Lung Cancer Research Foundation which can be found at Lungcancerresearchfoundation. org.

“My best advice for everyone would be to work towards being the strongest, healthiest version of yourself so that when you are faced with the fight of your life, whether it be cancer or some other obstacle, you will be ready to fight and can give it all you’ve got! Keep your faith and know that God is with you and will be your strength in the moments when you feel like you have none left.”

- Janna Longshore