Hero of Hope

The 2008 Hero of Hope recipient is Dr. Dale Wickstrum, Radiation Oncologist at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. He was selected as this year’s Hero of Hope for his encouragement, care and the hope he has provided to cancer patients and their family members – in particular to the late Peggy Goodman and her family.

Since the inception of a bike-riding event to raise money for the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center, the main theme has been hope. Hope in many forms: from a feeling, from an event, from an inspiration - and even sometimes from a person. When Lou Farrah was diagnosed with cancer, he was told that there was no hope and that all he could do is call hospice. However, he wasn't satisfied with that. He cared enough about his life, that he got a second opinion. Lou’s second opinion came from TMH, where he was told by Dr. Jeffery Crooms that his cancer was treatable. He was given hope, and he considered his doctor, Jeffrey Crooms, a hero – someone who helped turn a hopeless situation into something beautiful. Since 2006, the Capital City Ride for Hope has celebrated and inspired the kind of hope that Dr. Crooms and others in the medical community have provided. Heroes of Hope are those who look at the facts, tell the truth and help their patients and their family members through one of the hardest times in their lives. Each year a Hero of Hope is recognized and honored for their compassion, dedication, and continuing support of cancer patients. The Hero of Hope is chosen by the Capital City Ride for Hope Committee on the premise that they make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, their families and the community – and just like the title of the honor states - gives hope. Every year when the Hero of Hope is chosen, the Committee thinks about the hope Dr. Crooms gave Lou and the Farrah family -- three more years of life.

In a note to Dr. Dale Wickstrum, Peggy’s older sister, Patsy said, "You never lied or sugar-coated the reality of her cancer. For that, she was so grateful. You did, however, give her hope. For that, I am grateful."

Thank you, Dr. Wickstrum, for the hope you provide.