Ohio Dispatcher Determined to Shine

In 2008 I attended your training officer class. Shortly after that I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I am lead dispatcher for EAST COMM in Cleveland Hts., Ohio.  I have been here for 11 exciting years. My husband is a police officer for Cleveland Hts. (yes, our police officers need to be remembered in your prayers, as we recently lost our 2nd officer in the line of duty in less than 3 yrs.).  We usually work different shifts so one of us can be with our 5 wonderful children. Our youngest child was born just months before the cancer treatment started.  Everyone told me I had my hands full with having 5 children. I always said no, The children is the easy part, its everything else that life throws at you.  After multiple surgeries and chemo, I am happy to say I AM A SURVIVOR!!!!!!!! To celebrate, I have formed a team for the American Cancer Society- Relay for Life- North Olmsted. Our team is called “WE CAN DO ANYTHING!” We could really use your support. Our dreams are to help make a difference in the fight against cancer! I do not want to see my children go through any of the horrible treatments that I went through! Nor do I want any parent to miss out on their child’s first anything! I can’t put into words everything I missed with my youngest daughter, simple things  just holding her, changing a diaper was impossible at times due to neuropathy from chemo. The list is endless!   I couldn’t always be there for my other four children. Don’t get me wrong, when any of my children had to be hospitalized, I stayed with them. Of course, we got caught trying to change my bandages the first night my youngest son was hospitalized.  Which was ok because the staff was much nicer to our son!  I tried to include the kids with everything I could, so not to scare them. We had a “shave mommy’s head party” where they helped daddy shave mommy’s hair, just like a hair cut!  I know it has been very hard for them.

I’m not sure how much I will be able to walk. But I know I will be able to push my mother in her wheelchair for the survivor lap!!!!!! Too bad it’s not motorized, I would hitch a ride!

Donations can be made on line at “ Relayforlife.org”  our team is WE CAN DO ANYTHING! It would be great if we could raise $ 9110.(we would gladly accept more)  Just remember every donation in any amount helps.

I would like to make myself available for anyone that is facing cancer. Sometimes it helps to talk with someone that has been there and understands first hand. My husband is here for any caregiver. My family was and is great through all of this  (25 surgeries between me, my mom and my children in just 6 years!)

Thank you for your support, I know we can make a difference, just like we do daily.

Mary Crone
bbphcrone@yahoo.com