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Ball raises funds for cancer
BOARDMAN
They came to the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball wearing their boots, hats and blue jeans to have some fun doing the serious business of raising money for cancer research and patient services.
The 250 guests also came to Saturday’s western-themed soir e at Antone’s Banquet Center to recognize area cancer survivors, Glenn Stevens, 21 WFMJ-TV reporter; Donna Detwiler, oncology nurse and community volunteer, and 4-year-old Brett Wilcox.
Also honored was Dr. Chander Kohli, Youngstown neurosurgeon, for his contributions to the community, especially to individuals dealing with cancer, said Carole Weimer of Youngstown, co-chairwoman of the event with Sandy Zians of Howland.
The honorees, interviewed before the event, talked about their cancer experiences and what their messages would be when they spoke to the guests.
Brett, son of Sharon and Don Wilcox of Austintown, was diagnosed with cancer Oct. 5, 2009, and underwent a bone-marrow transplant in August 2010 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
The transplant was followed by five rounds of chemotherapy of 30 days each, with just seven to 10 days between rounds. His parents quit work, she at Hitchcock X-Ray Center in Boardman, and he a self-employed truck driver, when their son went through the chemo.
He went into remission in April 2010 but five weeks later had a relapsed and had to have radiation treatments, said his mother.
Brett, whose face lit up in a smile when asked about his favorite toy — it’s a monster truck — is a fighter, Mrs. Wilcox said.
She said Brett is still here because of cancer research.
Glenn Stevens is a well-known face on local television, but what may not be as well known is that in 1987, bone cancer required the removal of his left shoulder via internal surgery by Dr. Ken Marks at the Cleveland Clinic.
He endured chemotherapy for 13 months, and then underwent physical and occupational rehabilitation to get used to the idea of having a prosthesis, which he said he helped design. He also takes it off every night. It does not function, it is purely cosmetic, he said.
Before the cancer, Stevens, of Poland, played in two softball leagues and played handball and golf.
“Those pretty much went away. Then one day my brother told me not to worry about what I couldn’t do and focus on what I can do,” Stevens said.
He turned to community theater, which he has done for 20 years, and has won several awards for his performances.
“More and more today, people can say ‘I had cancer’ because of research funded by events like the Cattle Baron’s Ball,” he said. He and his wife, Regina, have five sons.
Detwiler of North Lima, who has been an oncology nurse at St. Elizabeth Health Center and ValleyCare Northside Medical Center, is a nine-year survivor of a blood cancer called multiple myeloma.
Since being diagnosed, she has been active in the ACS Boardman Relay for Life and founded First Connection, a support group to help newly diagnosed patients.
Detwiler and her husband, Jerry, have four children and five grandchildren.
“You can choose to be bitter and angry or choose to enjoy life and hope for the best,” she added.
“Never, never, never give up,” said Dr. Kohli of Liberty, who is in private practice and associated with the Curo Clinic in Youngstown. “It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.”