Three Time Cancer Survivor Peggy Gelpi Also Survived Hurricane Katrina
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Peggy Gelpi dresses up in a costume with fairy wings, hoping to brighten other people's day with laughter and cheer, all while having survived three battles with cancer and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, The Montgomery Advertiser reports.
Gelpi lost her lakefront home during the storm, but was fortunate enough to have family and friends support her while she got her life back on track. Just as she began to get things together, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, her third time having been diagnosed with the disease.
She had surgery to remove the tumor and is regaining her health, but it has left her unable to work full time and give back as much as she wants. She is slowly getting her situation together and helping her local community any way she can.
"I've done a little volunteering for Habitat. I can't do it on a regular basis, but it's a way that I could start giving back on a more traditional level. It feels good to be able to be of use again," she told the news source.
Gelpi's credits her friends and family with helping her through these dark events, and she has always tried to remain positive no matter what.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), over 22,000 malignant brain and spinal cord tumors will be diagnosed this year. The chance of an individual developing a malignant brain or spinal cord tumor in their lifetime is less than 1 percent.
Treatment of a tumor depends on the size and location of the mass, but can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or targeted therapy.
The ACS is an excellent source for those currently battling a brain tumor or those who have survived one. The organization covers all aspects of the disease including diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.
Gelpi lost her lakefront home during the storm, but was fortunate enough to have family and friends support her while she got her life back on track. Just as she began to get things together, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, her third time having been diagnosed with the disease.
She had surgery to remove the tumor and is regaining her health, but it has left her unable to work full time and give back as much as she wants. She is slowly getting her situation together and helping her local community any way she can.
"I've done a little volunteering for Habitat. I can't do it on a regular basis, but it's a way that I could start giving back on a more traditional level. It feels good to be able to be of use again," she told the news source.
Gelpi's credits her friends and family with helping her through these dark events, and she has always tried to remain positive no matter what.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), over 22,000 malignant brain and spinal cord tumors will be diagnosed this year. The chance of an individual developing a malignant brain or spinal cord tumor in their lifetime is less than 1 percent.
Treatment of a tumor depends on the size and location of the mass, but can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or targeted therapy.
The ACS is an excellent source for those currently battling a brain tumor or those who have survived one. The organization covers all aspects of the disease including diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.
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