If you happen to be following a silver Volvo through Gorham with the license plate FTG BRN, you might just be in a ray of sunshine. With Wendy Brown O’Neil (GHS ’80) at the wheel, optimism and positive energy are the driving forces.
Diagnosed with brain cancer in 2010 and with no neuro-oncologists in Maine at the time, O’Neil sought the “best of the best” at the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. After her initial surgery in May of 2010, she received radiation through the Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute. She also participated in a clinical trial, enduring not only the normal course of chemotherapy, Temodar, but an experimental treatment with SAHA, which she credits with saving her life.
O’Neil chuckles as she describes how the chemotherapy pills would arrive at her home via a special FedEx truck, in a biohazard bag labeled “Caution: Radioactive Material.” She needed weekly trips to Dana-Farber. “My husband, Tony, and sister, Wanda Brown Malpass (GHS Class of 1983), did much of the driving to Boston.” A second surgery followed in 2013. When asked how she remembers all the details of her treatment, her response was, “How do I forget?”
O’Neil is proactive and looks for opportunities to learn, share, and educate others. Her neuro-oncology nurse at Dana-Farber, Deb Lafrankie, calls her the “Ambassador of Hope.” She participates in a cancer support group each month at Dana-Farber and is active in supporting the Jimmy Fund. She has participated in the Jimmy Fund Walk for the last six years, and has been a Pacesetter for the past four years, raising over $1500 annually. O’Neil has also participated in the Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon.
Nominated by her neuro-oncology nurse, O’Neil has been selected as a “Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk Hero” for 2017. On September 24, thousands of walkers and volunteers will participate in the 26 mile walk, following the course of the Boston Marathon. For each half mile, a Jimmy Fund Hero will be honored. O’Neil will, once again, walk the 5k from Dana-Farber to the finish line at Copley Square as part of Team Neuro from Dana-Farber, raising funds dedicated to brain cancer research. Friends and family will walk with her, including her husband, Tony, their daughter, Tommi, “bonus daughter” Kaileigh, and her son Cameron and boyfriend, Ben. Each team member donates at least $50 toward O’Neil’s team, and they receive “Team Wendy” T-shirts.
Photo credit Jimmy FundWendy O’Neil (center) her husband, Tony, and a co-walker Hero, Susan, were paired for the Jimmy Fund Walk.
Supported and promoted by the Red Sox, the Jimmy Fund was established in 1948 by Dr. Sidney Farber. A pioneer in chemotherapy, Dr. Farber was treating a pediatric patient from northern Maine, Einar Gustafson, who longed for a TV set to watch the Boston Braves baseball team. According to the Jimmy Fund website, the young boy was dubbed ‘Jimmy’ to protect his privacy. Gustafson was selected to speak on Ralph Edwards’ national radio program, ‘Truth or Consequences,’ which was broadcast from the boy’s hospital room on May 22, 1948. Braves players crowded into the hospital room, and listeners sent in over $200,000. Boston athletes, physicians, and New Englanders have continued to support the Jimmy Fund and cancer research ever since.
O’Neil’s healing journey and FTG BRN continue. She has routine blood work, MRIs, and physical and occupational therapy. She advocates for herself and others through the cancer support group, Jimmy Fund work, and has been invited to speak to a group of UMASS medical students, helping to personalize diagnosis, care, and treatment.
When asked, “What’s next?” O’Neil is very clear: She wants to see her daughter, Tommi, graduate from GHS in 2018. In 2010, she asked Dr. Eudocia QuantLee, her oncologist at Dana-Farber, to give her 10 years. With her natural optimism and dedication, that 10 years will surely roll into many decades, and O’Neil will continue to be a hero, reading Jimmy Fund stories to her grandchildren.
To access O’Neil’s story on Care Pages, please visit her page here.