Cancer Survivor Fundraises to Honor Her Treatment at Moffitt

Wendy Brown believes that the glass is not half-full, but completely overflowing, and that a good attitude can save your life.

In fact, she is living proof.

Since 2010, she’s been fundraising for Moffitt Cancer Center after Brown, a professional voiceover talent, discovered she had Stage 1-borderline 2 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

A series of unusual events led to her discovery.

Smoke from a candle lit for the first time for her grandfather  a night before Yom Kippur caused her to use a puffer to ease a consistent feeling of having a cold.

“I looked at the expiration date, and it was six months overdue. I went to sleep and didn’t think anything of it,” she said. “The next night, I went to get ready for Temple, and I couldn’t get my watch on. I held up my arms and saw one arm was swollen from my fingertip up to my shoulder. I thought it was allergic reaction to the puffer.”

Brown’s husband rushed her to the hospital where an arm CT scan and ultrasound revealed nothing.

“The receiving doctor said ‘I’m not going to let you leave until I find out what’s wrong,’” said Brown. “They moved over to my chest and bingo- found a humongous tumor, 10.5 centimeters and six centimeters deep had been growing for a year’s time. They said I was two weeks from having it wrap around my diaphragm and my vocal cords.”

After her successful treatment at Moffitt, Brown began looking for ways to say thank you. She first participated in fundraising for Moffitt through Dancing with the Stars Tampa Bay in 2010.

“The sponsor, Hands Across the Bay, sent me an application and I filled it out,” said Brown. “That year I was one of, I think, 15 dancers. We all got paired up with a professional dancer and got free lessons. Our part was to fill our personal tables at $150 each, which was easy as I have many family and friends. The more difficult part was the corporate sponsorship, but I ended up making it.”

Brown explained the main reason for her participation, besides the love of dance, was one of the competition fundraiser recipients was Moffitt Cancer Center where she had radiation treatments through May 2008.

“When I went through my Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, I actually had a worse time with the radiation than the chemo,” explained Brown. “They were super nice and they calmed me down and that’s why I wanted to give back.”

After the competition, Brown realized she wanted to continue fundraising for Moffitt.

In 2011, via word-of-mouth advertising, she organized  “Exchange-0-Rama,” at a pizza restaurant. While Brown provided the pizza, refreshments and raffle tickets she auctioned off prize baskets she created from collecting donations from local businesses, the participants provided the clothing to exchange.

Each woman paid a $20 entry fee and was able to join in what could be likened to fashion matchmaking- what didn’t fit the style of one participant might be the perfect for another.

Francine Lazarus, friend and a sponsor of Brown’s table for Dancing with the Stars Tampa Bay, didn’t hesitate to participate.

Said Lazarus: “The Exchange-O-Rama gave participants a chance to help others while "shopping" for some new digs.  It was so simple: bring a donation for the charity and some items you now longer wear from your closet.  You "shop" for the same number of items that you brought while socializing with a wonderful group of ladies.” 

The fashion swap raised $350 for Moffitt.

“I was invited to this unique event and I truly didn't know what to expect.  I should have known that with Wendy planning it, it was sure to be a fun time with gals with a charitable twist,” said Lazarus. “When Wendy plans an event there are always great door prizes and you leave knowing you've donated to a wonderful cause.”

Brown is already busy planning a Bingo event in Ybor City for her next fundraiser in October. She is seeking donations for the gift baskets.

“Wendy is always thinking of others before herself," said Lazarus. "She is grateful for everyday and she never takes life for granted.  She is a hard worker, a good friend and a great person. She makes you want to be a better person and you are better when you know her.”

Brown, on the other hand, doesn’t see her work as great.

“Attitude is everything. I’m a lemonade out of lemons kind of girl. I do this because I’ve been there. Cancer sucks.”

For more information, to offer donations or volunteer or to help, contact Brown at Wbrown14@tampabay.rr.com.