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On a beautiful spring day at Newton Park on the shores of Lake Apopka, five members of the West Orange Chamber posed for a photo together. But it wasn't just Chamber membership they had in common - each is a cancer survivor, each with a different story to tell. All are involved in the upcoming American Cancer Society Relays for Life in West Orange County.

The five survivors are Cara Hennen of Windermere, Dianne Southwell and Pat Gleason of Ocoee, Scott Boyd of Winter Garden and Jaclyn Whiddon of Oakland.

Hennen will be part of the West Orange Junior Service League team at the Relay for Life of Southwest Orlando at Dr. Phillips High School this Friday, April 18. Southwell, Gleason, Boyd and Whiddon will be walking in the Relay for Life of West Orange at Ocoee High School April 25-26.

Cara Hennen's story

"Yes, your life can change in a minute, a second, a moment," said Hennen, who is a professional volunteer. "I was 20 years old, living in the county hub of St. Louis, had a good job at a mortgage company, living in a four-family flat with my sister. For me...life was perfect."

But lying in bed one night reading, she found a lump on her breast, and the next day the family doctor confirmed it was cancer.

Her original diagnosis in a local hospital indicated bone cancer also, but tests at the better-equipped St. John's Medical Center with an up-to-date radiology department proved she had no cancer in her bones.

She was chosen for the then-new lumpectomy procedure, and her ovaries were removed to reduce hormone production in her body.

"At this point, the doctors told my parents that I had six months to live," she said. "They didn't tell me."

She underwent six weeks of five-days-a-week radiation before beginning chemotherapy that left her so ill she had to camp in the bathroom for the next three days.

"I had to stay on chemo for three years as my blood count never stayed stable," she said.

Being 20 and just starting in life, this was a hard hit. I had two doctors tell me the reason I lived was my sense of humor. So for those of you who know me, you now know what my secret is."

As a cancer survivor of approximately three decades, she has learned the importance of giving back, whether to your community, church or school.

"Each of us has been affected by cancer either by a family member or a friend," she added. "It's something you don't have to physically have to cause change in your life. I just think that if one of us gave back to the Relay for Life, even if it's just walking a lap - together - we will find a cure."

Dianne Southwell's story

"It was last year at the Relay for Life event at Ocoee High School when I cried," said Southwell. "A young, dear friend of mine insisted that I walk the Survivor Lap. I pulled away like a small child and insisted vehemently that the type of cancer I had was not real cancer. I have melanoma. Melanoma is the most deadly of skin cancers, and the truth is, it is very, very real."

She found this realization frightening: "I couldn't wait to get off the football field that day. As soon as I got home, I threw away my purple [survivor] Relay for Life T-shirt."

Southwell, who is the owner of Plaudits!, a corporate gift company, explained that of the three types of skin cancer, basal, squamous and melanoma, she had the first two for years and never thought much about it. But one and one-half years ago, she was diagnosed with the third type.

"The nurse very calmly and succinctly said the word 'm-e-l-a-n-o-m-a.' I stopped breathing - literally."

But the good news was the cancer had not spread to her bloodstream, lymph nodes or other distant organs. She underwent surgery a week later, and, after having 10 centimeters cut from the side of both of her arms, learned that "they got it all."

Her melonoma began as a tiny spot of her left forearm "no bigger than the top of a Bic Clic," she said. "It had been red for a while, and then it went away - flaking and then it went away again. When it came back once more, it was with a vengeance, changing colors and bleeding."

As a child, she said, she got blistering sunburns and later was a regular at tanning salons.

"If you live in Florida, your chances increase for melanoma from 1 in 77 to 1 in 45," she explained.

She had a checkup every 90 days with her doctor and advises everyone to be very careful, to stay out of the sun from 11-4, to apply sunscreen repeatedly when outside and make an appointment with a dermatologist.

"The Relay for Life Survivor Lap is important, mentally and emotionally," she said. "If I can help raise awareness with just one teenager who takes to heart what I have to say and who no longer looks at me with that 'yeah, right, I'm young, it won't happen to me' look, I'll be happy. P.S. I'm not throwing away my T-shirt this year."

Pat Gleason's story

One year ago, following her annual mammogram, Gleason, who is a retired nurse and senior advocate, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"The emotional turmoil and fear I experienced from these findings is indescribable," she said. "I have always eaten right, exercised and, as a registered nurse, practiced preventative medicine and, as a result, enjoyed excellent health."

She shared her news with her family and her West Orange Chamber Ambassador friends and Jaclyn Whiddon, herself a cancer survivor, who informed Gleason of the services and educational materials available from the American Cancer Society.

"I started reading and learning about breast cancer, my options and choices involved in fighting this disease," she said. "Another cancer survivor, Andy Davis, gave me a book called Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book. Armed with all this great information and with discussions with my doctors, I made the very personal decisions regarding my treatment and recovery from breast cancer."

She underwent bilateral mastectomies last June and began reconstructive plastic surgery in November. The final surgeries will be completed within the next couple of months.

"Because of early detection and no cancer cells detected in my lymph nodes, I did not have radiation," she explained. "My oncologist placed me on oral chemotherapy for 10 years."

She has spent the past year on self-survival and plans to remain vigilant in detecting and deterring a recurrence of cancer anywhere in her body.

"I feel very confident and positive with all aspects of my recovery and the outlook for a very healthy future," she said.

She will bring her gratefulness for all of the love and support she has received to the Relay for Life of West Orange later this month.

Scott Boyd's story

"In the summer of 1987 when I was 16, my first experience with dealing with cancer was through my grandmother," said Boyd, who is vice president of McKinnon Groves. "She had been diagnosed with breast cancer for well over 20 years and my whole life I had no idea. If I had known, I don't believe I would have understood the severity of it until I witnessed how fast my family lost her that summer. I lost an important part of my life that year but never really knew how cancer would impact me until a few years later."

As a 19-year-old college student, Boyd had his whole world ahead of him.

"Moving fast with friends and blinders on, I was living life as teenagers do," he said. "That was until I found a bump that formed overnight and would change my life forever."

He can still remember sitting in the doctor's office waiting for the doctor to return from his examination and asking him what the diagnosis was.

"You have cancer, and we need to get you scheduled for surgery in the morning," the doctor told Boyd.

"My first thought was of my grandmother and what I watched her go through," he said. "I didn't feel sick or even have discomfort, how could this be happening to me? I felt alone, scared and mad at the world. I couldn't understand what I did to deserve this."

He said the time between surgeries, biopsies and deciding what options to take fueled many of his thoughts.

"It was not until I was being pepped for my lymph node dissection surgery that I finally came to peace with what was happening," he said. "I had learned through my nurse that there was a 9-year-old girl next door with a brain tumor who was preparing to go through surgery and her prognosis was not good. I thought to myself, 'She hasn't even had the opportunity to experience what life has to offer, and I am sitting here fuming over why I have to deal with this.' It was this day that propelled me to make the most of my life as long as I was able to. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to see the world in a whole new light."

As he looks back at his life as a cancer survivor for nearly 20 years, he said he continues to strive to make the most of every day and work hard to help others who are in need.

"In a flash, any of us can fall victim to this disease that has no boundaries and can take a loved one way from us forever," he said. "I am relaying this year in honor and in memory of my grandparents, Dan and Anne McKinnon, and Tisha Rayburn, along with friends and families who are battling this disease in hopes of bringing awareness to others in need."

Jaclyn Whiddon's story

As a young girl nearly 20 years ago, Whiddon's mother took her to the family pediatrician after she had complained how badly her stomach hurt.

"I remember clearly the doctor pressing on my abdomen and turning to my mom telling her that we needed to go next door to ORMC," she said. "I remember how upset my older sister was, and I'm glad that I was too young and na•ve to be scared."

She was admitted to the hospital that day, "and suddenly everything was different."

She had Wilms Tumor, a cancerous tumor that attaches itself to your kidney.

"The tumor started on my left kidney and was rapidly growing across my abdomen," she said.

After surgery to remove the tumor and her kidney, she endured months of chemo and the awful sickness that came with it. She lost all her hair and remembers waking up each morning to see how much had fallen out during the night.

"I was in second grade; and without the help of a wonderful teacher, my family and friends, I wouldn't have passed school that school year," she said. "I was different than my friends, and at that age my classmates did not know what to think....I wore an awful wig for a while. At that time they didn't make wigs especially for kids. Fortunately, now there are organizations that make wigs especially for kids. I remember when I finally got the courage to leave the house without my wig on once my hair started to grow back."

Widdon, who is a marketing and public relations consultant with the Whiddon Group, is a member of the executive committee for the Relay for Life of West Orange at Ocoee High School and a member of the Progress Energy Relay Team.

She has awful memories of her battle with cancer but says there are so many things that she has to be grateful for because of that experience, including a greater appreciation for life.

"It has been over 20 years ago since I was diagnosed, and now as an adult and as a mother I cannot imagine being faced with this disease today," she said.

She watched her grandmother and her dear friend Jennifer Barker Caraway lose their struggles with cancer.

"I have seen so much suffering and heard too many stories about cancer and the beautiful lives that it ended all too soon," she said. "However, I have also seen hope! Hope in finding a cure!"

The American Cancer Society did so much for her, she feels it is her turn to give back.

"Relay for Life raises money in our community to fund research, education and the countless programs that they offer, programs that truly make a difference to someone who has been diagnosed with this disease," she explained.

That is why she works for Relay for Life and why she invites everyone to become a part of the Southwest Relay for Life this Friday, the Relay for Life of West Orange the weekend of April 25 and 26 and the Relay for Life of Windermere on April 25. Just call 407-843-8680 to participate or make a donation to the relay of your choice.

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