GROVELAND, Fla. — Stand Up To Cancer aims to reduce cancer cases by half in the next 10 years, and its telethon on Friday, Aug. 15, will raise money towards that goal. Local cancer survivors know just how tough the fight against the disease can be.
What You Need To Know
Stand Up To Cancer aims to reduce cancer cases by half in the next 10 years, and its telethon on Friday, Aug. 15, will raise money towards that goal
Diana Hoffman says a community garden in Groveland helps her forget about the worries of life. Hoffman was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time she was screened for it
Nine years later, Hoffman is in remission. She takes a daily hormone pill to keep the cancer from coming back
Diana Hoffman says a community garden in Groveland helps her forget about the worries of life. Hoffman was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time she was screened for it.
“It was a little bit of a shock to be diagnosed on a very first visit for a mammogram, and at that point I didn’t know anything about breast cancer and didn’t have anyone around me who had breast cancer,” said Hoffman.
Nine years later, Hoffman is in remission. She takes a daily hormone pill to keep the cancer from coming back. Part of her therapy is tending the aquaponic garden, where fish waste feeds the plants, and the plants in turn filter out the water for the fish.
It helps produce high-quality veggies.
“Eating clean, no pesticides, everything’s 100% organic, I know where it’s coming from, I know it’s grown here,” said Hoffman.
It’s nutrition that supports Hoffman’s fight to keep cancer away.
“It really helps you tolerate the muscle aches, the joint pains, everything that’s involved in continuing treatment,” said Hoffman.
An expansion to the garden is also under construction through the help of the city of Groveland, which is donating the land and water for irrigation, and Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation. Part of it will go inside a large pink ribbon-designed area.
A visualization of the expanded community garden in Groveland. Construction is expected to be completed in September. (Spectrum News)
The foundation is named after Robin Maynard-Harris’ mother, who lost her life to breast cancer.
“This project’s built by and for this community, that’s what this is about,” said Maynard-Harris, the foundation’s founder.
For Hoffman, the foundation is like a family she can count on through anything.
“I could pick up the phone and call them, and they would help me in like two minutes – they would be there,” said Hoffman. “So to be a part of them and the new project and to be around them is a blessing to me.”
And now they’re spreading the gift of growing fresh food to others.
“It’s valuable to everyone, not just us. Everyone needs to eat better, everyone needs to be able to experience having fresh stuff,” said Hoffman.
In the same week as the garden expansion, Hoffman turned 50 years old. For her, every year and every day is a gift.
“To be able to have another year here, and have life for another year, I’ve been blessed since diagnosis to be able to experience the amazing things I’ve had and to be able to come together with the community and be a part of this. It’s really special,” said Hoffman.
Libby’s Legacy has helped more than 150 people with breast cancer diagnosis and other services, and helps create spaces for the entire community like the expanded community garden in Groveland.
The Stand Up To Cancer telethon airs Friday, Aug. 15, beginning at 8 p.m. on Spectrum News.
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