THROOP - Donna DeLand's curly brunette locks fall just below her shoulders. She tosses a few strands to the side and runs her fingers through her hair, something she wasn't able to do four years ago.
Jennifer Meyers / The Citizen
Brain tumor survivor Donna DeLand dances with husband Jim during the National Cancer Survivors Day 2006 at the Throop Fire Hall Sunday afternoon.
Brain tumor survivor Donna DeLand dances with husband Jim during the National Cancer Survivors Day 2006 at the Throop Fire Hall Sunday afternoon.
On May 26, 2002, while driving north on Route 41A, DeLand, then 40, had a grand mal seizure. Slumped over in her seat, the van smashed into a guardrail.
DeLand was bruised, but her two daughters, Cali, now 14, and Mandy, now 11, were unharmed.
“I was scared and I was crying a lot because I didn't know what was happening,” recalled Cali, who flagged down help.
A few days later, DeLand received the diagnosis: anaplastic astrocytoma third grade, a fast-growing type of malignant brain tumor.
Yet throughout the surgeries, as well as the ensuing radiation and later chemotherapy, DeLand kept an upbeat - and accepting - attitude.
“This is what God wants me to have,” said DeLand, the Courage Award recipient at Sunday's National Cancer Survivors Day event. “Whatever he wants me to have to deal with, that's what I'm going to deal with.”
The event, sponsored by “I Can Cope,” an American Cancer Society education and support group that meets at Auburn Memorial Hospital, attracted an estimated 100 people to the Throop Fire Hall, many of them cancer survivors and their friends and family.
DeLand, of Aurelius, received the award for her willingness to share her story with others and for volunteering her time with “I Can Cope,” said Kathy Bennett, organizer of Sunday's event and facilitator and founder of the group.
DeLand, whose last scans showed no evidence of a tumor, and her immediate family pepper her survival story with an uplifting sense of humor.
Her bisection and resection, during which time surgeons removed as much of the tumor as possible, required DeLand to shave her head.
“She had the G.I. Jane look going, which really was kind of hot,” jokes Jim, her husband of 15 years.
Jim admitted he was scared after hearing the diagnosis but said that his wife never let it get to her.
Two weeks previous to her diagnosis, she had been through a full physical - on doctor's orders - because of the extreme stress she was experiencing after nearly 18 years as a dispatcher for the state police. She had received a clean bill of health and surmised that past migraines and two severe headaches were caused by all of the work-related stress.
Sharon McLean, of Auburn, also attributed her cancer symptoms to something else. A nurse by trade, McLean thought she had a bad cold, possibly bronchitis.
But on April 5, following a chest X-ray, she was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. A smoker for 40 years, McLean quit that day.
She had the upper lobe of her left lung removed April 24 and starts chemotherapy later this month.
“I have a new grand baby on the way (that) I intend to stick around for,” McLean said Sunday, noting the importance of her family and friends during this time.
More than 700 communities worldwide honored survivors on or around Sunday as part of the day of recognition. National Cancer Survivors Day began 19 years ago, and there are currently 10 million cancer survivors in America.
“(It's) to celebrate survivors and their journey, from the time of diagnosis to now,” Bennett said, noting that the Throop event, which included raffles, food and testimonies by survivors, also helps to increase awareness about “I Can Cope.”
DeLand, who has been active with the group since 2003, talked of the importance of sharing her story and advice with people who are going through similar ordeals.
So how has cancer changed her life?
After working long hours for years, she now stays home with the children. She also believes she's become closer to God.
“We're on a first name basis now,” she said with a smile.
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net
DeLand was bruised, but her two daughters, Cali, now 14, and Mandy, now 11, were unharmed.
“I was scared and I was crying a lot because I didn't know what was happening,” recalled Cali, who flagged down help.
A few days later, DeLand received the diagnosis: anaplastic astrocytoma third grade, a fast-growing type of malignant brain tumor.
Yet throughout the surgeries, as well as the ensuing radiation and later chemotherapy, DeLand kept an upbeat - and accepting - attitude.
“This is what God wants me to have,” said DeLand, the Courage Award recipient at Sunday's National Cancer Survivors Day event. “Whatever he wants me to have to deal with, that's what I'm going to deal with.”
The event, sponsored by “I Can Cope,” an American Cancer Society education and support group that meets at Auburn Memorial Hospital, attracted an estimated 100 people to the Throop Fire Hall, many of them cancer survivors and their friends and family.
DeLand, of Aurelius, received the award for her willingness to share her story with others and for volunteering her time with “I Can Cope,” said Kathy Bennett, organizer of Sunday's event and facilitator and founder of the group.
DeLand, whose last scans showed no evidence of a tumor, and her immediate family pepper her survival story with an uplifting sense of humor.
Her bisection and resection, during which time surgeons removed as much of the tumor as possible, required DeLand to shave her head.
“She had the G.I. Jane look going, which really was kind of hot,” jokes Jim, her husband of 15 years.
Jim admitted he was scared after hearing the diagnosis but said that his wife never let it get to her.
Two weeks previous to her diagnosis, she had been through a full physical - on doctor's orders - because of the extreme stress she was experiencing after nearly 18 years as a dispatcher for the state police. She had received a clean bill of health and surmised that past migraines and two severe headaches were caused by all of the work-related stress.
Sharon McLean, of Auburn, also attributed her cancer symptoms to something else. A nurse by trade, McLean thought she had a bad cold, possibly bronchitis.
But on April 5, following a chest X-ray, she was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. A smoker for 40 years, McLean quit that day.
She had the upper lobe of her left lung removed April 24 and starts chemotherapy later this month.
“I have a new grand baby on the way (that) I intend to stick around for,” McLean said Sunday, noting the importance of her family and friends during this time.
More than 700 communities worldwide honored survivors on or around Sunday as part of the day of recognition. National Cancer Survivors Day began 19 years ago, and there are currently 10 million cancer survivors in America.
“(It's) to celebrate survivors and their journey, from the time of diagnosis to now,” Bennett said, noting that the Throop event, which included raffles, food and testimonies by survivors, also helps to increase awareness about “I Can Cope.”
DeLand, who has been active with the group since 2003, talked of the importance of sharing her story and advice with people who are going through similar ordeals.
So how has cancer changed her life?
After working long hours for years, she now stays home with the children. She also believes she's become closer to God.
“We're on a first name basis now,” she said with a smile.
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net
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