Nov. 7--By KRISTA HARRIS
The Brunswick News
Patrons of St. Simons Health and Fitness have come together for one of their own, Sharon Hanson.
The fitness instructor and personal trainer has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and friends and associates are asking the public to help with her medical bills and fight against the deadly disease.
"We love her," said Angie Fedisin, personal trainer and instructor at the club.
What turned out to be ovarian cancer was at first thought to be just a pulled muscle or a cracked rib in spring 2008. It wasn't until Hanson traveled to Texas to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston that she found out what it was and that it had spread.
The cancer is extensive in the abdomen, involving both ovaries and the peritoneal wall.
Her friends said she is ready for a good fight and has amazing support from a group of people who will help her in the journey.
"It was such a shock," said Catherine Fleming, membership director at St. Simons Health and Fitness. "A huge shock."
Hanson is back home in the Golden Isles waging war against the disease with the help of family and friends.
The fitness club will sponsor a silent auction starting at 5 a.m. Monday at the club followed by a social from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
More than 90 local companies and individuals have donated items to the auction, which include a pearl necklace from Chadwick's, a fishing charter from Coastal Outdoor Adventure and sessions with Bob Natzke, Adam Wainwright's personal trainer.
There's something for everyone and you do not have to be a member of the club to bid. Many of the items, like the pearl necklace, were specifically made for the event.
"It's really taken on a life of its own," said personal trainer Fedisin. "We love her and we felt so helpless."
This is their way of giving Hanson the support she needs and they're asking the community to help out too.
"People have been incredibly generous," said Fleming. "We live in an incredible community."
-----
To see more of The Brunswick News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/.
Copyright (c) 2009, The Brunswick News, Ga.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
