Spirit of Survivorship

 

ENDURE. SURVIVE. INSPIRE.

The Spirit of Survivorship lives in us all. It puts a smile on our face and a twinkle in our eye. It makes us sing and dance, and fills us with joy at the sight of a beautiful sunset. It inspires us to reach out and help others in their time of need.

The Spirit of Survivorship is also the name of Gabe’s My Heart’s annual celebration and fund raiser. Held at Old Natchez Country Club the celebration consists of a wine tasting, silent auction and recognition of some of the amazing work being done in our community to bring awareness to childhood cancer. Each year we feature a speaker who can inspire us all to be the very best we can be.

Spirit of Survivorship 2006
Speaker: Ron Williams.

When Ron was 15 years old, he was an avid soccer player and a member of the U.S. Jr. National Soccer team. His dream of playing in the World Cup for the U.S. was shattered, when upon investigation of a sore left shin, he was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma, a malignant tumor of the bone. The news got even worse when doctors discovered that the tumor had metastasized to his right lung. Ron underwent surgery to remove the tumors in his lung, and a few months later he had his left leg amputated below the knee. All this was followed by 18 months of chemotherapy.

Through it all, Ron never questioned the fact that he would beat cancer and get back to a regular life. Eventually Ron did beat cancer, but his life has been anything but regular since.

He began with racing mountain bikes, but soon began racing on the road. His talents matched those of able-bodied athletes and he started racing on the local, state, and national levels.

Shortly after, he was named to the U.S. Paralympics Elite National Disabled Cycling Team and trained for the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia. Ron raced in two events on the track and one on the road. He finished 5th in the 1km time trial, 7th in the 4km pursuit, and 9th in the 78km road race.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Ranking List ranked Ron 3rd for cyclists in the LC2 division, the category for athletes with one below-the-knee amputation.

In September of 2002, Ron and his best friend Rob DeFoor of Charleston, South Carolina organized a 300+ mile bike ride across Georgia to raise money for Camp Sunshine.

In October 2003, Ron had the honor of being selected for the Bristol Myers Squibb Tour of Hope Team and participated in a ride across the country to raise awareness for cancer research and clinical trials. The route was 3200 miles and completed in seven days.

For more information on Ron Williams please visit www.ronswilliams.com.

The following organizations support Gabe’s My Heart Spirit of Survivorship:

BE&K Building Group
Phil Breeden and Associates
Power Tennis of Cool Springs
Bob Gregory Company Inc.
Charles O. Beauchamp
Wicks and More Candles
First Payment Services
Old Natchez Country Club
Schenk Photography
Shawnee Winery
Perry’s Home Outlet
Parenteau Graves Communication
Ribbons of Chocolate
UPS Store of Spring Hill
Tennessee Wine and Spirits