The 2021 Cure Bowl is only 156 days away! This is the Orlando Sports Foundation’s biggest event of the year and we can’t wait to celebrate all the cancer fighters, survivors, and thrivers out there! So mark your calendars for December 17 because kickoff is at 6pm ET on ESPN2!
This Warrior Wednesday, we spoke to UCF alumnae and football fanatic, Lynne Cheek about her battle against breast cancer. Read Lynne Cheek’s story below.
OSF: Tell us your personal story.
Lynne: First dx in 2008. Had lumpectomy and radiation. Then clear until 2017 and had mastectomy chemo and Diep flap reconstruction. I had a wound that wouldn’t heal after my reconstruction and they did an MRI several months later and my cancer had now metastastasized to my lymph nodes. The breast wound and my sternum. My cancer is now in my liver and almost my whole spine. Hips and left femur and skull. I’m on immunotherapy Keytruda and praying that will work
OSF: When/How old were you diagnosed?
Lynne: 44
OSF: What did your support system look like?
Lynne: I’m single and no local family so a lot of friends and neighbors help me.
OSF: Did you lose your hair? How did you manage this?
Lynne: Yes. It stinks but I wear wigs and various head coverings
OSF: What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome?
Lynne: I want to find a drug that works. I keep having mixed results so have to change medication. I have done so many I’m afraid of running out.
OSF: If you’re a survivor, how is life now compared to life before your diagnosis?
Lynne: I can’t walk very far due to pain and shortness of breath. I feel like I can’t plan anything due to constant treatments
OSF: What’s your best advice for anyone currently fighting cancer?
Lynne: Keep hanging in there and have a positive attitude
OSF: What does the Cure Bowl mean to you?
Lynne: I pray for a cure for cancer is found so I can have a long life.
A party was held on June 19th at UCF’s BurgerU for Lynne, where UCF’s football team and band came to show Lynne some support for her battle. The party was organized by friend, Jan Garcias.
“Lynne and I don’t have a long story. She followed me and my daughter who has Down syndrome, on Twitter ( my daughter is Britt ) and they call her UCF Football’s biggest fan. She’s like the team’s little sis. Lynne would always comment on our Tweets and we became Twitter friends. I started following her journey and would message her to see if she needed help. Funny how you can meet people on social media and a sweet friendship happens. I knew I needed to help. I knew she needed to feel important and valued” – Jan Garcias
If you or a loved one have been affected by cancer and would like to share your story, please fill out this form to be considered for our next Warrior Wednesday spotlight
