Social - May 2003

Honorary chair is a longtime cancer survivor

Gloria Mauney’s mission is to prevent other patients from ‘suffering in silence’

By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer

Gloria Mauney of Lincolnton knows that early detection and communication are keys to surviving cancer.

The two-time breast cancer survivor will lead the Survivors Lap tonight as honorary chair for Relay for Life.

Mauney — retired nurse, mother of two and wife to Hubert “Polie” Mauney — was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1972.

“In 1972, you didn’t have any options, really,” she says.

But Mauney considers herself lucky. The lump was first discovered when she was pregnant. Because surgery and radiation were not recommended during pregnancy, she went untreated.

After giving birth to her first child, doctors continued to “watch” the lump but not operate. The waiting game continued for a year until Mauney became concerned and went to her family physician.

“Dr. Leary Reid told me to get peace of mind, and we would go to a surgeon.”

Mauney’s surgery was successful and for 14 years she was cancer free — until her annual mammogram revealed another cyst in her other breast. She immediately had a second mastectomy.

“I was just so thankful that it was early and that I didn’t have any radiation,” she says.

Mauney has seen the types of cancer treatments increase and improve during her years as a healthcare professional. She worked for the Lincoln County Health Department for 32 years.

“Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be a nurse,” she says.

Mauney retired from the health department in 1995, but she continues to work in the field.

She works at the health department one day a week to track abnormal mammograms. The retired nurse says she enjoys her work and hopes the eight hours a week she puts in there will help other patients with early detection.

“I think nursing is sort of inborn,” she says.

When she is not working in her yard, cooking or attending Happy Timers meetings, Mauney volunteers with Reach to Recovery, an American Cancer Society program where survivors visit cancer patients.

Mauney says sharing experiences is helpful when battling cancer. She remembers feeling isolated during her first bout with the disease.

“At the time, I just couldn’t think of anyone who had a mastectomy,” she says. “It’s the support. I just think it’s a wonderful thing.”

Mauney believes Relay for Life has helped open the lines of communication between cancer patients.

She has participated for years and says the special events, speeches and gatherings prevent cancer patients from “suffering in silence.”

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Gloria Mauney, honorary chair of the Lincolnton Relay for Life, will lead the Survivors Lap that begins at 7 tonight around the Lincolnton High School track. She also will give a speech on stage following the lap.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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