Nan and Charlie Kelley share their cancer experience

HATTIESBURG, Miss - Nan Kelley a former Miss Mississippi and native of Hattiesburg shares her cancer experience at the Southern Oaks House and Gardens to a group of men and women. Her husband, Charlie Kelley, a four time Grammy nominee was there to share his experience with colon cancer too.

The couple spoke today to discus the challenges and motivations they both endured as a couple at the Spirit of Women event.

Nan was diagnosed in 2008 with Hodgkin Lymphoma and several months later Charlie was diagnosed.

"And I was born with a teasing comb in one hand and a can of hairspray on the other and that was not going to fly with me" Nan says as she talks about her first time losing hair.

Coordinator of Spirit of Women, Kathy Emmons says, "Both of them have gone through cancer treatment, and they are spreading the message of care and hope...a real good message to hear during Christmas time."

The room was filled with survivors and individuals going through cancer, hearing their message as a couple touched everyone's heart.

"She is just the epitome of what we all want to be as far as crusaders of people who are going through cnacer and have survived cancer like she has" says Martha Dearman, Executive Director of Forrest General Healthcare Foundation.

The couple experienced chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and of course hair loss together.