October 10, 2025 — In the summer of 2024, Diona Swinney was preparing to return to Pebblebrook High School to teach her 11th-grade advanced algebra class when she got news she never expected. 

While at Disney World celebrating her granddaughter's birthday, Swinney learned that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

"To be honest, I just wanted to live. When you hear 'cancer,' you think it’s almost like a death sentence," said Swinney.

Swinney underwent chemotherapy and was forced to focus on her health and miss the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year, although she was far from absent from the classroom. 

In the midst of treatment, Swinney made a video for students and sent them custom-made wristbands with inspirational messages as a way to connect with students. 

"If I couldn’t give them anything else, I wanted to give them a little encouragement to let them know that they’re going to be OK and this isn’t the end," said Swinney.

Swinney said she was worried about running out of time off from work, but Cobb Schools and Pebblebrook leadership reassured her that her job would be waiting for her when she was ready to come back. Swinney said knowing that gave her "peace of mind" that allowed her to focus on her recovery. 

After the winter break that same year, the veteran Pebblebrook educator returned to the classroom in remission from breast cancer.

"I never met my kids that semester, but many of those kids came to my room just to see me and to thank me and to make sure I was ok, and that all meant a lot to me," Swinney revealed.

While it was something she'd long looked forward to, her return came with its challenges. Swinney said she still has side effects from her chemotherapy and cancer diagnosis that, at times, make it uncomfortable for her. 

Despite those discomforts and pain, the dedicated educator is back to teaching because it's her passion. She now schedules doctors' appointments and follow-ups outside of school hours and is dedicated to not missing any more valuable time with students, even though others have offered to cover her classes when needed. 

"The kids give me light, teaching gives me light," Swinney declared.

Swinney still sees students wearing her wristbands around school, which brings a smile to the longtime teacher's face. 

Her own story of survival has also allowed her to connect with students on a deeper level, realizing just how many families breast cancer impacts. 

"One of my students I had not seen, and she came to check on me- this brought me to tears. She said I came to check on you, and my mother passed away from breast cancer. So, when I say it’s very touching, it’s something I never forget. I’ve got my pink on now, I wear my pink every day," said Swinney.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer impacts one in every eight women in the U.S.