Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/799833
IN THE FACE OF ONGOING CHALLENGES, FIGURE-SKATING LEGEND SCOTT HAMILTON RELIES ON FAITH. IT WAS 1997 when Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton received the news that he had testicular cancer. "My first reaction was fear," Scott says. "I thought I would suffer greatly and never skate again. And I certainly didn't have time in my schedule to focus on healing. But then I woke up and realized I had work to do." A DEDICATION TO SERVICE Scott was well acquainted with the consequences of cancer when he received his diagnosis. He lost his mother to metastatic melanoma when he was just 18 years old. "Her battle lasted more than two years," Scott says. "And I didn't completely understand what she was going through. But I knew that I didn't want anyone else to experience the loss that we endured. So I dedicated myself to raising money for cancer research." To generate awareness and support, Scott did what he knew how to do best and put on public skating performances to raise funds, embracing a positive mind-set to overcome his heartbreak. "I really wanted to make a difference in the cancer community," he says. "The money we raised went to support research for new solutions." Scott's mission as a cancer ambassador took on a new meaning when he faced his own diagnosis 20 years later. Refusing to give up hope for a long and healthy life with his family, he entrusted his health to his medical team and to his savior, Jesus Christ. It was in that trust he discovered the strength he would need to endure the battles to come. "My fear was replaced by power, courage, and clarity of mission," Scott says. "I was suddenly awake. But I didn't know what I was capable of until I was faced with situations that seemed truly impossible." Scott paid close attention to the information his health care team shared with him as he received multiple rounds of chemotherapy and underwent surgery to remove any traces of his stage III tumor. "I was lucky to be at the Cleveland Clinic, a cancer center of excellence dedicated to state-of-the-art treatments," Scott says. "The doctors performed a 38-staple surgery, and about eight weeks later, I was back on the ice." Having successfully managed his fight against testicular cancer, Scott felt compelled to do more than raise money to help fund research. He wanted to become an ambassador to patients experiencing a cancer diagnosis, offering guidance and advice. COURAGE COURAGE A SPIRIT OF A SPIRIT OF 4 I N S P I R I N G H E A LT H