Pastor Rhonda Holbert and Freddie Muse Jr: Turning Diagnosis Into a Lifelong Mission to Save Lives

For Pastor Rhonda Holbert and Freddie Muse Jr, cancer was not the end of their story. It was the beginning of a calling.
Though their diagnoses came years apart and involved different diseases, their journeys have led them to the shared mission of helping others navigate cancer, advocating for earlier detection, and fighting for a system that works for every patient.

In September 2001, Pastor Rhonda Holbert walked into a doctor’s appointment with no expectation that her life would change forever. What began as a routine visit quickly shifted. After a needle biopsy, her doctor asked her to return. “The good news is I’m glad you let me do the test,” he told her. “The bad news is you have cancer.”

Her diagnosis was stage IIIB inflammatory breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of the disease. She was alone in the room when she received the news, relying on faith to steady herself in the days that followed.

Six years later, in 2007, Freddie Muse Jr found himself facing a similar moment. While working in Fresno, a routine health screening led to an unexpected result. His doctor suggested testing “for everything,” including a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. When the results came back, his PSA level was 14, far above the normal range. “Then I heard those dreaded words,” Freddie said. “You have prostate cancer.”

Neither Pastor Rhonda nor Freddie had obvious symptoms that would lead them to expect a cancer diagnosis. But each made a decision that would shape the rest of their lives. They chose to fight.

Pastor Rhonda’s treatment journey left a lasting impact. While she survived her cancer, the aftermath brought serious long-term effects, including lymphedema, heart disease, and later a stroke and heart attack. “These are the side effects people don’t always talk about,” she said. “You survive cancer, but the journey doesn’t end there.”

Freddie carefully considered his treatment options and ultimately chose external beam radiation instead of surgery. His decision was rooted in research and self-advocacy. “I needed to understand what was best for me,” he said. The radiation worked, and for nearly a decade, his cancer remained under control. But in the 10th year, his PSA levels began to rise again. The recurrence came as a shock. “No one ever really talked about that,” he said.

Neither Pastor Rhonda nor Freddie set out to become advocates. It happened organically. For Pastor Rhonda, it began in the chemotherapy room. She noticed a lack of support and connection among patients. She simply started reaching out, checking on people, and bringing them together. That effort grew into the Celebrate Life Cancer Ministry, a community rooted in hope, resilience, and shared experience.

Freddie’s advocacy began with conversations. After his diagnosis, he realized how little awareness there was about prostate cancer, especially among men. He started talking to everyone he could at church, work, and in everyday life. Eventually, those conversations turned into organized outreach, education, and mentorship. This work led him to start The Men’s Cancer Network, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing quality resources through personal experiences to underserved men with cancer.

Together, Pastor Rhonda and Freddie now serve as trusted voices in their community, connecting patients with resources, encouraging treatment adherence, and helping families navigate complex decisions.

While both credit their care teams and the medical community for their survival, they are candid about the systemic barriers that patients face. Delays in referrals, insurance approvals, and access to care remain significant obstacles. “You’re fighting for your life,” Pastor Rhonda said. “And at the same time, you’re fighting the system.” Freddie points to long wait times and limited screening access as major challenges, particularly for underserved communities.

For example, many people in Black communities are diagnosed at later stages due to lack of screening and education. “We’re losing too many men,” Freddie said. “And it doesn’t have to be that way.” Their advocacy focuses not only on individuals but on the broader system, pushing for streamlined care, expanded screening access, and equitable distribution of resources.

Looking ahead, Pastor Rhonda sees promise in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to detect cancer earlier, while Freddie continues to push for widespread, affordable screening programs. Their message is clear: Progress must be both scientific and systemic.

Today, Pastor Rhonda and Freddie continue to walk alongside patients every step of the way. They answer late-night phone calls, encourage people to keep appointments, and remind them that they are not alone. Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation to change a life. “You’re in the fight for your life,” Pastor Rhonda tells patients. “And we’re here to help you get through it.” For both, survivorship is not just about living longer. It is about helping others live.