Why I Care About Cancer: Donna Littlepage
"I believe in the work of the Carilion Clinic Foundation and have donated for many years through our annual employee campaign. This year I’m excited to give to the Cancer Center Fund to support a new state-of-the-art cancer center in Roanoke.
Cancer is personal to me because I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2005. It was supposed to be a simple cancer, easily treated and nothing to worry about. I had surgery to remove the thyroid followed by radioactive iodine treatment.
The term 'simple treatment' seemed to fall short, as you don’t really know it is going on except that you must stay away from everyone—including pets—for three days after swallowing the pill because you are emitting radiation. Then you wait a year to see if it worked.
Unfortunately for me, it did not, so we repeated the iodine treatment two more times, increasing the potential of developing leukemia later in life with each treatment. I didn’t feel I had much choice because it was the only treatment available at the time.
Ultimately, I ended up going to a thyroid specialist at Georgetown University, which led to another surgery, this time to remove lymph nodes in my neck along with the remaining cancer.
That was eleven years ago. We’re still monitoring, but I think it worked and I’m cancer free. Not everyone is as lucky.
I’ve lost several friends over the past 15 years to cancer, many just in their early fifties. Like me, several sought care at cancer centers across the country. One of those was my good friend and colleague Melina Perdue, Carilion’s executive vice president, who passed away in 2018.
My experience was a roller coaster of thinking I’m fine and then finding out I’m not. It’s times like these that you realize the importance of friends and family. It will mean so much to so many in our community to be able to stay here for treatment.
It is because of Melina and others that I believe in our vision of an expanded cancer program and new Cancer Center. I’m giving this year to the Carilion Cares campaign so it will become a reality."
- Donna Littlepage, Senior Vice President, Accountable Care Strategies
You can read more about the funds you can give to in these articles:
This year, an anonymous donor has pledged to match any donation to the Cancer Center Fund during the course of the campaign, dollar for dollar, up to $250,000. That immediately doubles the impact of your gift. Learn more about the ways you can donate by clicking here.
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Long-time donor Donna Littlepage tells us why she gives.
Her experience with cancer, as well as the experience of those who aren't as lucky, inspired her to give to support the Cancer Center Fund.
