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In the fight of her life, teen beats brain cancer
18-year-old Kara Masson is cancer free and plans to go to college in the fall
By LORY POUNDER, Staff Writer
KARA Masson dances with her friend David Gaona on Friday night at the Sadie Hawkins dance at St. Augustine High School. Masson was successfully treated for brain cancer, with which she was diagnosed five years ago. She will graduate from St. Augustine High later this year, and plans to attend Flagler College.
Kara Masson wheeled up to the side of the dance floor. Her toes sparkled red, and glints of silver from her dress danced under the lights. Masson, 18, is a senior at St. Augustine High School, but she has endured more than the typical high school stress. What she thought were just bad headaches in eighth grade turned out to be a cancerous brain tumor.
Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy kept her from school for two years. And when she came back for her sophomore year, she was afraid her classmates would have a reason to retaliate with the same attitude she displayed before being diagnosed. She was afraid they would be vicious to her. "Because of the location of the tumor, I had a serious attitude problem," Masson said as she thought about the time before treatment.
Returning gave her a chance to reconcile with peers, and she was amazed at the response. "Everybody was really wonderful," she said remembering. Masson has to rely on a wheelchair because treatment affected her balance and strength. Today, her friends and teachers describe her as sweet, fun to be around and always dressed in a smile.
Friday night, Masson arrived fashionably late to the Sadie Hawkins Dance at St. Augustine High School. Her lips, toes and dress -- all in shades of red -- matched the color scheme of the Valentine's Day dance in the gymnasium.
The night started off slowly as she looked for other seniors in the crowd. But, before it was over, she was dancing with friends, her arms extended out from her wheelchair.
Masson and senior Alex Altiero have been friends since first grade. They didn't go to the same school until sophomore year but were friends from St. Anastasia Catholic Church. "For all that she's been through, she's just so good-natured," Altiero said. She described Masson as a sweetheart and one of the nicest people she knows. "You're all mad 'cause you've had a bad day, and Kara's there smiling," Altiero said. It makes her smile too.
Sophomore Colton McCutcheon added that Masson is great fun to be around.
"She's never down and always has something to say," McCutcheon said.
Diane Key, food preparation teacher and senior class sponsor, was one of the organizers of the dance that will help the senior class with graduation costs.
Key was happy to see Masson at the dance. She remembered when she would send recipes home for Masson in ninth grade. She was home-schooled to keep up with her class. "Her attitude just amazes me," Key said. "I can't imagine having gone through what she went through."
Now cancer-free, Masson is planning to attend Flagler College in the fall and will major in early elementary education.
Climbing for a Cause
Cherise Fleming was diagnosed with a brain tumor twelve years ago. During these past years she decided to make some dramatic life-style changes.
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) March 9, 2005 -- Cherise Fleming is a beautiful, young wife and mother who was diagnosed with a brain tumor twelve years ago. Her long term prognosis was not good. But, three brain surgeries and dozens of chemotherapy cycles later she is in near perfect health.
During these past twelve years, Cherise decided to make some dramatic life-style changes. She tried ice climbing, something she always wanted to do; “If I can do this, I know I can do anything.” Her first venture was scaling a 100-200 foot frozen cataract in a Canadian hamlet. She loved it! “Being in the mountains has become a celebration of life for her,” says her mother, Thelma Fleming. “This is all about controlling what you can control – because you can’t control the brain tumor.”
Recently, Cherise held a benefit for the American Brain Tumor Association and Evanston Northwestern Hospital. This was to celebrate her recent climb in Wyoming’s Grand Tetons. She said 100% of the proceeds will provide for brain tumor research to “give others the opportunity I have been given.”
“This disease has been both a curse and a blessing,” says Cherise. She has benefited from the generosity of others and the true spirit of caring, through the support she has been given.
Cherise hopes to raise more money through other mountaineering exploits. “She has taken the proverbial lemon and is making lemonade with it. She is leading the way for more research to help others,” says Naomi Berkowitz, the American Brain Tumor Association executive director. “She’s an inspiration to everyone who meets her.”
The American Brain Tumor Association exists to eliminate brain tumors through research and to meet the needs of brain tumor patients and their families.
For more information contact the ABTA at (800-886-2282) or visit the web site, www.abta.org.
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