A Heartbreaking Diagnosis
When Catherine Crews learned from her doctor in May that she had only six months left to live, she couldn’t help but cry. Yet, amidst her grief, she quickly rallied her strength and asked her husband to contact the courthouse. A dedicated Democrat, Crews had been closely monitoring the presidential election and was determined to cast her vote for President Joe Biden in November. With her terminal diagnosis weighing heavily on her mind, she was eager to find out how soon she could vote.
“I’ve been living on borrowed time for 11 years,” said the retired yoga instructor, who is battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer. “I’ve had to face death.”
Defying the Odds
Crews had already defied the expectations of medical professionals, outliving their predictions. As death loomed closer, she began to reflect on her priorities. Spending time with family and making end-of-life arrangements were important, but she also wanted to ensure she was prepared to vote as early and absentee voting began in several states.
In her mind, casting her vote for president one last time was essential.
The Fight Against Cancer
Catherine’s journey with cancer began on September 4, 2013, when she received a shocking diagnosis of NUT carcinoma, a rare genetic cancer. While standing in her kitchen in Oxford, Mississippi, she was informed that a malignant tumor had been discovered in her upper jaw and sinus cavity. Her doctor described the struggle ahead as her “Mount Everest.”
The tumor was surgically removed at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where doctors admitted that they had never encountered this type of cancer before. Treatment was grueling, involving two painful jaw transplants, numerous surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, along with over two dozen visits to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. The surgeries left her with significant scarring, leading her to wear a face mask in public to avoid unwanted attention.
Despite a bleak prognosis of only a 3% chance of survival, Crews persevered, continuing to embrace life.
Making the Most of Life
After her diagnosis, Crews sought to make the most of her “bonus” years. She painted, gardened, picked up litter, baked treats for others, and walked over 10,000 steps each day. She even established a Facebook support group for individuals battling NUT carcinoma and became involved in political campaigns, including a recent gubernatorial run in Mississippi.
Facing Another Crisis
In late February, Crews faced yet another health crisis requiring oral surgery. Complications arose, culminating in an osteomyelitis diagnosis, a severe bone infection. By May, her condition had worsened, leading doctors to inform her that surgery was no longer a viable option. Crews, now 67, broke down upon hearing this devastating news.
Taking time to process her emotions, she began contemplating her remaining days and the unfinished business she wanted to attend to. Chief among these was her desire to vote. Since absentee voting would not begin until September 23 in Mississippi, Crews’ heart sank as she feared she might not make it to that date.
The Final Vote
On the first day of absentee voting in Mississippi, Crews met with her hospice nurse before heading to the Lafayette County Courthouse with her husband, Billy. Under Mississippi law, residents aged 65 and older are allowed to vote absentee. Once inside the courthouse, Crews stepped behind an electronic voting booth to cast her final ballot for Kamala Harris. After submitting her ballot, she returned home, where she eagerly logged onto her computer to share the moment on Facebook.
“I cast the last vote of my lifetime to preserve Democracy in the United States of America and around the world,” she wrote, detailing the values for which she voted—honesty, decency, integrity, and the importance of protecting the Constitution. She emphasized her commitment to loving her neighbors and standing up for marginalized communities, as well as advocating for women’s rights.
A Personal Choice
While initially intending to vote for Biden, she felt a mix of relief and excitement when Harris was nominated as the Democratic candidate. Crews admired Harris for her intelligence and commitment to thoughtful change, believing she represents the values of fairness, freedom, and inclusion.
Concerns for the Future
With the presidential election just six weeks away, polls indicated a tight race between Harris and Trump. In Mississippi, however, Democratic candidates had not won since Carter’s victory in 1976. Crews expressed her concerns about Trump returning to power, fearing the potential damage he could inflict on the country.
Despite her initial worries about backlash for her Facebook post, she was met with overwhelmingly positive responses, including a heartfelt message from Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate.
Legacy and Hope
Crews’ ultimate goal is to survive long enough to watch the election results come in on Election Night. She hopes to see Harris emerge victorious, but regardless of the outcome, she feels fulfilled knowing she has done her part by voting one last time.
“This is my legacy,” she reflects, “a parting gift to my children, my grandchildren, and my country.”
