Award Recipients
Below are the recipients honored at the 2009 Head for the Cure 5k:
Dick Wilson
A brain tumor has not stopped former University of Kansas track and cross country star Dick Wilson from his love, running.
This 77-year-old running enthusiast participated in the inaugural Lawrence Head for the Cure 5k Run & Walk in the midst of his second round of chemotherapy. Still, he ran the 3.1 miles in 38 minutes, 39 seconds.
"After he got cancer and the way he has tolerated the treatment has just been outstanding and it's because of his physical condition," said his wife JoAn.
Dick has a malignant glioblastoma tumor, which was discovered in September 2008, two months after he won the Fiesta Mexicana 5k race-walk in Topeka, KS (first place overall). On October 7, 2008, doctors removed 95 percent of the tumor. Since then, he's had radiation and two rounds of chemotherapy.
In July 2009, he again entered the Fiesta race-walk. He won the Men's Division again. But winning and recognition are not new for Dick.
- Twice he's been inducted in to the KU Athletics Hall of Fame; first as a member of KU's 1953 national champion cross country team and then as an individual
- He was part of several Big 7 conference champion track and field teams at KU and ran with another KU great, Wes Santee
- He was part of a two-mile relay team that set a world record in 1985 in the 50-59 age group at the National Masters Championship
- In 2003, at age 74, he was ranked No. 2 in the U.S. and No. 4 in the world in the 70-74 age group. Nationally, he was ranked in the top 10 in his age group every year from 1985 to 2004
He quit running and exercising from the mid-1950s until1978 when the running "bug" hit him again.
Dick spent a successful 35-year career with Travelers Insurance. Upon retirement in 1991, he and wife JoAn returned to Lawrence, KS. Often he's been seen running the streets of Lawrence in preparation for races. In 2001 and 2002 he was named Lawrence's Adult Athlete of the Year.
"I will continue to workout each day as long as my strength holds up," he said. "I feel blessed that I have excellent doctors, a physical therapist, strong family support and along with many friends who share my journey during this adventure. Most of all I thank God for my faith."
Matt Mendlick
On June 3, 2008, Matt Mendlick passed his board tests in radiology. It was a few months after being diagnosed with a malignant astrocytoma tumor (also known as glioblastoma). He now works as a radiologist and every day fights his personal battle against cancer.
Matt, 33, wife Katie and children Lauren, 4, and Ryan, 2, live in Omaha. Matt graduated from Olathe South High School and attended Creighton University in Omaha, where he played soccer.
He was diagnosed in March 2008, after suffering from light, yet daily, morning headaches. One morning the headache became worse and it was accompanied by vomiting. At the time, he was in his final year of radiology residency at the University of Arizona. His wife Katie had a fellowship in radiology at Arizona. Initially, he thought the headaches were the result of sleep deprivation. Still, he decided to have a CAT scan. Katie was the first to see the golf ball-size right frontal lobe tumor.
In order to protect against permanent brain damage, surgeons only removed a part of the tumor. His recovery was challenging and complicated as he suffered a stroke and underwent emergency surgery to remedy excess bleeding. He spent time at a rehabilitation hospital to regain strength.
Matt regularly enjoyed participating in triathlons, but after his surgery and a difficult recovery, he essentially had to relearn to walk. Following rehab, he tenaciously worked out to prepare for a half marathon that he completed in May while still receiving chemotherapy treatments.
After the 2009 Head for the Cure 5k, Matt will run another half marathon in the fall. He has just completed a year of chemotherapy treatment and his residual tumor has remained stable.
“Life dealt us a blow that we were certainly not expecting, but Matt just keeps his head up,” said Katie. “He is a great dad and a wonderful husband.”
Danny Weaver
Danny’s motto is simple, “ALL IN!”
Since his surgery on June 29, 2009, to remove a tennis ball-size grade IV gliosarcoma tumor, he has faced the challenge and is "in for the long haul." Father of four children and husband to Lisa, this avid poker player is walking in walking in the 7th annual Head for the Cure 5k with his team, “All In For Danny.”
In early June, Danny suffered from severe headaches. On June 27, Lisa drove him to Saint Luke’s Hospital South. A CAT scan revealed the tumor. Tests followed the next day at Saint Luke’s on the Plaza.
He underwent surgery on June 29 and subsequently, Danny and Lisa traveled to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for treatment. He has undergone oral chemotherapy and radiation, and earlier this month began intravenous chemotherapy.
Keith Boxler
Keith’s battle started in 2001 when he had a seizure at work and was taken to the hospital. He was diagnosed with a grade II oligodendroglioma brain tumor and surgery followed the next day. It has been eight years since the Boxlers started this journey and many challenges have occurred since that day in 2001.
Keith Boxler and his wife Tracy grew up in Olathe, KS, and met in junior high. Today they live in Shawnee, KS, with children Evan, 13, and Brooke, 11. This year they celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary.
In 2002, Keith battled another bout with seizures. A second tumor was found in the same area. It was removed and he underwent six weeks of radiation treatment. Subsequently, the Boxlers enjoyed more than five years of uninterrupted day-to-day living.
However, during a routine MRI in January 2008, two spots were found in the same place as the previous tumor. Keith again experienced seizures and additional tumor growth was found in May of this year. Keith and Tracy decided to visit The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Keith learned that his tumor was rare (only 4 percent of all brain tumors). Surgery was performed July 13 to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Chemotherapy will be the main ally for Keith in hopes of stalling the tumor’s growth.
Keith is known by his family and friends as the clown of the group and has used his gift of humor to encourage and gain perspective during every stage of his battle. His positive attitude and comedy are extremely encouraging to his wife who admits it really is what gets them through every day.
Amy Roberts
Amy Roberts was diagnosed in December 2008 with a stage III glioblastoma tumor. Immediately after being diagnosed, Amy underwent surgery at Saint Luke’s Brain Tumor Center to remove the tumor. Neurosurgeons successfully removed the tumor, but Amy battled several complications requiring a second surgery.
After weeks of recovery, Amy and her family moved to the next step in their journey and decided to travel to the renowned Brain Tumor Center at Duke University to seek a treatment plan. They travel every eight weeks to Duke where Amy is participating in a trial study. During the last visit, the Roberts were encouraged to learn no cell growth had occurred since the previous visit.
Amy is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments and attends a Brain Fitness Class at Saint Luke’s Hospital. The class advances cognitive processes and has been a blessing to Amy as she continues to fight.
While Amy continues the personal battle, she and her family are committed to helping find a cure. Amy’s mother, Nancy, heard about the Head for the Art auction which took place in May, and immediately began to spread the word about the Head for the Cure Foundation. The entire family has become strong Foundation advocates, encouraging others to join the united fight against brain cancer.
Amy’s Army of Angels will walk together in the 2009 Head for the Cure 5k. Jeff Brady, Amy's brother, is the team captain and will be leading the team of friends and family as they walk with Amy toward a cure. Amy's family and members of St. Therese North parish act as Amy’s support system and serve as the foundation for Amy, Chris and daughters Emma and Olivia. Many family and parish members will be among those walking in Amy’s Army of Angels.
