SURVIVOR SPOTLIGHT

Charlotte Brandt:
Tell A Friend – Why Charlotte Brandt Came For A Wig and Never Left

By Christine Lollar

Charlotte Brandt, a retired nurse, lifelong advocate, and passionate philanthropist, is a 19-year survivor of breast cancer. Her dedication to community wellness spans six decades, continuing long after her career in nursing officially ended. She’s known not only for the care she’s given but for the care she inspires.

Born in Atlanta, Charlotte was raised in a family steeped in service. Her father was a surgeon, and her mother, a southern-belle TV host. At age 11, Charlotte and her three sisters moved with their parents to Bakersfield, where she attended St. Francis Parish School and Garces Memorial High School. In classic Bakersfield fashion, she met her high school sweetheart, Bob Brandt, while “cruising Chester.” They’ve now been married for 57 years. Bob went on to found Brandt Construction, and Charlotte pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.

That dream led her to the University of San Francisco—then a largely male, Jesuit institution—where the Sisters of Mercy had launched a pioneering nursing program that focused on caring for the whole person. This holistic approach to health care shaped Charlotte’s philosophy, and the friendships she formed with her fellow nursing students remain strong to this day.

After graduating in 1965, Charlotte began her career as a public health nurse, driving across Kern County to support new mothers and check on children’s health. Later, she joined the Kern County Superintendent of Schools as a school nurse, where she found her calling in special education. Never one to shy away from hard work, Charlotte balanced full-time nursing, raising two children and attending night classes to earn her master’s degree from California State University, Bakersfield—rising to a supervisory role in her work.

Charlotte has received numerous awards for her prestigious care, including California School Nurse of the Year, Kern Registered Nurse of the Year in Leadership, Academy of Fellows of the National Association of School Nurses, Central San Joaquin Valley Nursing Hall of Fame, and California State University Bakersfield’s Alumni Hall of Fame.

But even with decades of experience in health care, nothing could have truly prepared Charlotte for the moment in 2006 when she discovered a lump in her own breast. The diagnosis: stage 2B breast cancer. She faced a grueling journey—undergoing a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and a five-year course of anti-hormone therapy. It was during that time that Charlotte first walked through the doors of Links for Life, simply looking for a wig. She never imagined that visit would lead to a lifelong connection—but from that moment on, she never looked back.  “I came for a wig, before I lost my hair, and have never left,” Charlotte recalls. “I was so impressed with the care. They support women, and some men too (who can also get breast cancer), with so much dignity.”

She quickly became one of the organization’s most enthusiastic champions. “Keeping funds and care local is so important,” she says. “Links for Life isn’t a chain. It’s local people helping local people. They’re wise stewards of every dollar, and it’s so good to be part of something you can truly trust—with your care, your time, and your support.”

A proud advocate and peer mentor, Charlotte remains deeply involved in the survivor community. She’s a vibrant presence in “50 Shades of Pink,” a Facebook group for mature breast cancer survivors, serves as a board member and continues to support groups and events. “The peer support, the wigs, mastectomy vests, wellness classes, grocery and nutrition programming—every part of it is vital,” she says. “This year alone, 400 women in our community will be diagnosed with breast cancer. These resources can make all the difference.”

Even her car license plate is pink! A moving tribute to the sisterhood she’s found in survivorship. “Sometimes it’s the friendships that get people through. Survivors understand each other on a whole different level,” she says. “You’re learning a new language, managing side effects, losing your hair, experiencing symptoms your family may not understand. Links for Life creates a place where you’re not alone.”

When asked what she sees as the greatest need, Charlotte says “I still meet people who don’t know about Links. The greatest gift I can give is to spread the word. This resource is here, and it matters. Tell a friend!”

Christine Lollar is a Links for Life board member and grant director for Adventist Health.