Georgia Tech assistant coach Tasha Butts diagnosed with breast cancer

Georgia Tech assistant women’s basketball coach Tasha Butts has been diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer, Butts announced Wednesday in a news release from the school. Butts, who is in her third season on coach Nell Fortner’s staff, will continue her duties as she undergoes treatment. Team chief of staff Mickie DeMoss will fill in for her when she is unable to fulfill her duties due to treatment.

“This has not been an easy discovery,” Butts said in a statement. “At age 39, I never thought I’d be sitting here dealing with this disease. But I have full confidence in my doctors, my faith, who I am and who I was taught to be, which is a fighter. I want to, and hope to be, an example and an inspiration for others who may be experiencing the same thing.”

Butts learned of the diagnosis in November and said in her statement that she is “still processing this life-changing diagnosis and learning how to deal with it day-to-day.” She encouraged early detection and awareness of potential symptoms of breast cancer.