Sean Swarner
Encyclopedia
Sean Swarner was the recipient of the Don't Ever Give Up Award presented by the Jimmy V Foundation and ESPN
in 2007. He is a two-time cancer
survivor who was first diagnosed at age 13 with Hodgkin's Disease and later with Askin's sarcoma
. He was given just two weeks to live in 1990 and is believed to be the only person in the world to ever have been diagnosed with both these deadly cancers. Sean told ESPN Radio
's Bob Valvano
, brother of Jimmy, that he would have been more likely to win the lottery
four or five times than to have survived both these cancers.
However, he did survive, although he has only one fully functioning lung
due to the removal of a golf ball-sized tumor
found with the Askin's diagnoses. He graduated from Willard High School
in Willard, Ohio
, in 2001
Sean was recently featured on ESPN
(July 27, 2007) with a 10 minute segment on his life story and struggle. He established his own foundation (The Cancer Climber Association) which promotes cancer awareness and helps raise money for cancer research
. He also author
ed his book Keep Climbing, which recounts his story and journey from the depths of his near death experience to the peaks he climbed to reach the top of the world 17 years later.
On October 11, 2008, Sean completed the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, HI with a final time of 11:44:15.
he DID survive
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
in 2007. He is a two-time cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
survivor who was first diagnosed at age 13 with Hodgkin's Disease and later with Askin's sarcoma
Sarcoma
A sarcoma is a cancer that arises from transformed cells in one of a number of tissues that develop from embryonic mesoderm. Thus, sarcomas include tumors of bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, vascular, and hematopoietic tissues...
. He was given just two weeks to live in 1990 and is believed to be the only person in the world to ever have been diagnosed with both these deadly cancers. Sean told ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
's Bob Valvano
Bob Valvano
Bob Valvano is an American sportscaster based in Louisville, Kentucky.During the college-basketball season, he is an analyst for ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Plus, mostly covering Big East basketball. When not doing those games, Valvano is the color analyst for University of Louisville men's basketball...
, brother of Jimmy, that he would have been more likely to win the lottery
Lottery
A lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
four or five times than to have survived both these cancers.
However, he did survive, although he has only one fully functioning lung
Lung
The lung is the essential respiration organ in many air-breathing animals, including most tetrapods, a few fish and a few snails. In mammals and the more complex life forms, the two lungs are located near the backbone on either side of the heart...
due to the removal of a golf ball-sized tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
found with the Askin's diagnoses. He graduated from Willard High School
Willard High School (Ohio)
Willard High School is a public high school in Willard, Ohio, United States. It is the only high school in the Willard City School District. Their nickname is the Crimson Flashes. Willard is a member of the Northern Ohio League.-Famous alumni:...
in Willard, Ohio
Willard, Ohio
Willard is a city in Huron County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,806. Willard is served by the Willard Memorial Library.-Geography:Willard is located at ....
, in 2001
Sean was recently featured on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
(July 27, 2007) with a 10 minute segment on his life story and struggle. He established his own foundation (The Cancer Climber Association) which promotes cancer awareness and helps raise money for cancer research
Cancer research
Cancer research is basic research into cancer in order to identify causes and develop strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatments and cure....
. He also author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
ed his book Keep Climbing, which recounts his story and journey from the depths of his near death experience to the peaks he climbed to reach the top of the world 17 years later.
On October 11, 2008, Sean completed the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, HI with a final time of 11:44:15.
External links
- Seans' Official web site
- Cancer Climber Association
- Sean's Book on Amazon.com
- ESPN Radio Interview of Sean
he DID survive