Lynn Hamm

Lynn Hamm

Lynn Hamm is an amazing person, and I am so thankful that I can call her a friend, but I also consider her a hero. She is a hero not only for surviving breast cancer, but also for how she lives her life as a result.

In January 2001, Lynn Hamm, the Dental teacher at my high school, Highland School of Technology in Gastonia, NC, was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. That in itself was a devastating diagnosis, but to make matters worse, she was two months pregnant with her third child. Termination of the pregnancy was never an option for Lynn and her husband Nathan. When the doctor delivered the news, they immediately opted for treatment to stop the growth of the tumor. Lynn underwent the first wave of chemotherapy from January until July. In July, labor was induced and Nate was born July 9th, six weeks before his due date. He was expected to have problems as a premature baby, but Nate weighed 5 pounds and 7 ounces and was healthy and strong. Nate was brought into this world early, so Lynn could start the next batch of chemotherapy that would have been lethal for the unborn baby. Lynn took her last chemotherapy treatment the week of September 11 and then endured radiation treatments during the month of October. In January 2002, Lynn had reconstructive surgery on her breasts after having a double mastectomy.

Lynn had survived her ordeal and that alone should be enough to declare her a hero, but that makes it seem like those who do not survive cancer are not allowed that status. Since I have a mother who battled but did not survive ovarian cancer, I know surviving is not what makes a person a hero, it is the attitude and determination they have during the battle that make them exude heroism. What makes Lynn Hamm a hero in my eyes is how she lives her life since her cancer experience.

Lynn is an inspiration to others. She is an advocate for Relay for Life. She participates in Relay for Life every year, from raising money on campus through a “Flush Cancer” campaign with a toilet painted pink to taking a group of students to the event to help them understand how important it is to support worthwhile causes and give back to their community. The week before the event she puts a family picture showing the new baby and sporting the “no hair” look. She has a smile on her face that shows our students you can survive cancer and still be happy. Her smile is a constant reminder to me to be thankful for each day. After all that she has been through, she has the most positive attitude I have ever encountered. She lives her life to the fullest and does not take things for granted. She does not live in fear of the cancer returning; instead, she focuses on what is good in her life, and her smile and bubbly personality make others feel happy. She makes me realize how I should live my life and not have to wait until something bad happens to make me wake up and change.

Lynn Hamm is a hero to me for the battle she fought against cancer and for the way she did not allow it to destroy her as a person. I am so thankful to not only call her my hero, but to call her my friend because she makes me a better person every day.