North Jefferson News, Gardendale, AL

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  • Shannon Davis, of Mt. Olive, survived cancer when she was a teenager. Now she is taking part in a half marathon in Savannah, Ga., as part of the Birmingham DetermiNation team. The team hopes to raise $3,500 or more for the fight against cancer. Special

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July 11, 2012

Cancer survivor running for a cure

By Nathan Prewett North Jefferson News

GARDENDALE — Mt. Olive resident Shannon Davis knows what it’s like to struggle with cancer.

Davis is a survivor who recovered from a teratoma tumor 20 years ago.  

Not only was Davis able to survive the tumor, but was later inspired to raise awareness about the effort to find a cure for cancer. As part of this effort she will be running at the second annual Savannah (Ga.)  Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon with the Birmingham Determi­Nation team.

“I was diagnosed with a rare teratoma tumor at the age of 13,” her profile on the web site for the American Cancer Society says. “I was only given a 30 percent chance of survival. I had 18 months of chemo and much to the surprise and delight of my doctors, I’ve been cancer free ever since.”

Teratoma is Greek for “monster,” and it truly is a monster. A teratoma is a kind of tumor that grows in the brain, lung, liver and thyroid. Its rarity is due to the fact that it contains tissue and organ components such as hair, teeth and bone.

DetermiNation is a program of the American Cancer Society that specializes in track running to help raise funds for cancer research. Davis hopes to raise at least $3,800 or more at the half marathon.

Taking place in November, the team from Birmingham will be trekking through Savannah’s roads, starting at Savannah City Hall and ending at Forsyth Park. The team consists of 40 Alabama natives.  

Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon will take place on Nov. 3. To donate, go to http://main.acsevents.org/goto/shannondavis.

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