Cancer conquered, comeback continues

By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Shot-putter Adriane Blewitt of Boardman is making a comeback from cancer.
After six months of chemotherapy treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma, regular weight-lifting workouts and recent throwing competition, the former Spartan and Ashland University standout is preparing for her long-awaited bid to make the U.S. Olympic Team.
Joined by coach Jud Logan and other members of the Ashland Elite post-collegiate training program, Blewitt and her group will leave July 7 to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials slated from July 9-18 in Sacramento, Calif.
She will open her bid in the first round of shot put qualifying on July 15, trying to place among the top 24 throwers who will advance to the final round July 16. The top three will be picked to the U.S. Olympic Team.
Logan, 44, will be trying to make his fifth U.S. Olympic team in the hammer throw.
Blewitt also will be accompanied by her mother, Rae Blewitt, and her Boardman High coach, Denise Gorski. Blewitt's father, Rick Blewitt, is deceased.
Send-off, fund-raiser
A big send-off and fund-raiser, called "Adriane to Athens," is being planned for Blewitt on July 2 at A & amp;W Restaurant in Boardman from 6-10 p.m. The event will coincide with the restaurant's popular classic-car night.
Blewitt, who used to work as a waitress at A & amp;W during her high school days, will be on hand to greet friends, fans and well-wishers and sign autographs.
In the meantime, she will continue staying with her mother at home, commuting to Ashland for workouts and attending various meets while sticking to a planned timetable to peak on her comeback trail precisely at the Olympic Trials.
Blewitt, who had lost 20 pounds but has regained most of it and now weighs about 168, is feeling better, getting stronger and is expected to become one of the top stories at the Olympic Trials regardless of how she fares -- because of her comeback from cancer.
Making steady progress
Rae said Adriane is making steady progress after being weakened by chemotherapy for six months.
"She came home [Tuesday] from her doctor's appointment and everything is definitely doing well," said Rae. "She didn't have to do any blood work. She definitely is getting stronger."
Rae said the cancer has been destroyed by the chemotherapy.
"There still is probably one-tenth of the original mass [now scar tissue] left around her heart and lungs," Rae said. "It is cancer-free and we continue to monitor that with CAT scans.
"Normally, the medical route is to have radiation after you are through with the chemo, but doctors are a little fearful about the mass being close to the heart because of possible heart and lung damage down the road," Rae added.
"She is feeling good. Her biggest problem is that she is really tired. That goes along with being in chemo."
Fund for Blewitt
Gorski, who has stayed close to Blewitt and her mother throughout the ordeal, helps to administer a fund for Blewitt that was started to help defray her training expenses.
"Many Boardman teachers and staff, community members, school groups and classes, and friends have contributed to this fund, which is still ongoing," said Gorski.
Anyone wishing to contribute should send a check made out to the Boardman Booster Club, in care of Denise Gorski, 7777 Glenwood Ave., Boardman, 44512. Please label the contribution as going toward the Adriane Blewitt Olympic Fund.
kovach@vindy.com