Daniel Island breast cancer survivor Bonnie Hancock eager to give back

If Daniel Island resident Bonnie Hancock was worried about the impending arrival of Hurricane Matthew last week, she certainly didn’t show it. Sitting comfortably on her back porch, the spunky former middle school teacher appeared calm and confident. Thirteen years ago, she weathered a different type of storm - and she would tackle this one with the same determination and vigilance.

Bonnie is a breast cancer survivor. And with the 23rd Annual Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure returning to Daniel Island on October 15, she was determined not to let anything, even a hurricane, dampen her spirits.

“When I stand on that stage with that rose in my hand, and all those other survivors, I feel so proud,” said Bonnie, dressed in a bright fuchsia-colored shirt reflective of her love of the cause.

Her breast cancer journey began in late 2002 at age 52. She and her family were enjoying the holiday season and looking forward to the new year. But a chance discovery would put a cloud over her celebrations. While in the shower, Bonnie found a lump in her left breast. A diagnostic mammogram just four months prior had revealed nothing out of the ordinary.

“I have very cystic breasts and therefore they always do a diagnostic mammogram, and it was clear,” she said. “…I really wasn’t that scared at the time. I just thought I need to go and get this checked. I really thought it was probably just a cyst.”

She found the lump on a Sunday and the very next day went in to see her doctor. After an exam, the doctor told her it didn’t feel particularly hard, so she proposed a “wait and see” approach. Two weeks later, a nervous Bonnie asked for a re-check, so she was sent to see Dr. Paul Baron, a breast cancer physician in Charleston.

“I am one of those people who says let’s do it now and find out what it is!” said Bonnie. “…They got me in…He drew fluids and it still came back negative!”

She was told to have another mammogram in six weeks to be sure all was fine. Once again, Bonnie wasn’t content to wait. After two weeks, she called and asked to schedule the test. After multiple pictures were taken, the results came in.

“The red flags were everywhere,” she added. “…My doctor called me and said you have breast cancer…You just never think it can happen to you…I think I was just more stunned than anything. But there was never any doubt that I was going to beat it. I’ve got kids and I planned to see them grow up! There was just too much here that I needed to see through.”

She had a mastectomy of the left breast and reconstructive surgery at the same time. The procedure is known as a DIEP flap treatment – and Bonnie was the thirteenth patient in Charleston to have it done. She came out of the surgery with no complications.

“It was perfect,” Bonnie said. “I was in the operating room for eight to 10 hours. I stayed for three or four days and then I came home.”

Her husband, Dan, helped take care of her throughout her recovery. Once Bonnie had healed enough, she began a grueling 16 weeks of chemotherapy.

“I just felt like I was in Neverland,” she said. “My husband was making decisions for me. He talked to the doctors and said ‘this is what we’re going to do.’”

After Bonnie finished her chemo, she was declared cancer free. She credits a wonderful support team for helping her along the way. In addition to Dan, her family includes son, Daniel, also a Daniel Island resident, his wife, Rose, and their daughters, Hazel and Presley; and her daughter, Dana Rodgers, and husband, Chuck. Friends were also instrumental throughout the process, said Bonnie. An avid tennis player, she leaned on members of her team, known as “The Flamingoes,” to score a victory over her cancer.

“When I came home from the hospital, they had flocked my yard with pink flamingoes!” she recalled. “You’ve got to have a support system.”

But having a positive outlook is equally important, Bonnie added.

“It’s 50 percent? Is it 70 percent? You can’t alter the outcome physically, but attitude, to me, is so important. If you can go into it with an ‘I can do it’ attitude, it makes such a difference.”

Not long after her recovery, Bonnie began volunteering for Susan G. Komen Lowcountry and remains an active advocate for the organization. She serves on the board of directors and also helps with fundraising events, such as the Annual “Swing for the Cure” at Wild Dunes. She’s even lobbied in Washington DC to raise awareness about breast cancer. In addition, Bonnie received the “Charlene Daughtry Award” from Komen Lowcountry for her service to the cause.

“I’m so glad that I can give back,” she said. “…I didn’t foresee this as my calling, but it is. It’s not the only thing I do and my husband teases me that I should get paid for it…but it is where I need to be! I hope I’m making a difference.”

This weekend, with Hurricane Matthew behind her, Bonnie will make her way to the Volvo Car Stadium on Daniel Island with thousands of other Race for the Cure participants to celebrate all who have triumphed over breast cancer. But in those proud moments, she will also remember those who were not as fortunate - and renew her own commitment to ensuring that all who are diagnosed with the disease have the tools they need to fight it.

“You can never do enough when it comes to raising awareness about breast cancer,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot over the years. It is my responsibility to take it in and push it out.”

23rd Annual Komen Lowcountry
RACE for the CURE!
Saturday, October 15
Volvo Car Stadium/Family Circle Tennis Center

7 a.m. Expo opens
Survivor Pink Café opens
Late registration and packet pickup opens

8 a.m. Survivor recognition and parade to start line

8:20 a.m. Kids for the Cure Dash

8:45 a.m. 1-mile Fun Run/Walk begins

9:15 a.m. 5K Run/Walk begins

10:15 a.m. Awards Ceremony

For additional information on the event, including registration details, visit
www.komenlowcountry.org.

“TIE ONE ON” Event
Thursday, Oct. 13, 5:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m.
Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island

Everyone is invited to enjoy the festivities at this family-friendly pre-race event.
Bring a chair and/or blanket and hang around for an evening of fun and celebration!
• Come hungry - Food Trucks will be available.
• Sing and dance to live music from “No Quick Fix”
• Get in on the raffles and auction
• Enjoy children’s activities
• Be Inspired by the Survivors Celebration and Candle Lighting Ceremony
• Vote for the best decorated Sponsor tent
• Pick up your t-shirt & bib or register on site
• Shop the Komen Merchandise Tent
• Stroll through Suzy’s Garden
Here’s the rundown:
• 5:00 - Gates open; Registration and t-shirt/bib pick-up begin
• 5:30 - Good Clean Fun (family activities) and No Quick Fix (band) begin
• 6:45 - Survivor Celebration & Candle-lighting ceremony (survivors please gather in Survivor Cafe at 6:30 p.m.)
• 7:10 - Group fun- learn to tie a pink balloon dog!
• 7:30 - Auction and raffles close
• 7:45 - Winners announced
• 8:00 – Event ends

The information above was obtained from the Susan G. Komen Lowcountry website, www.komenlowcountry.org.