Fulton County Ohio Media

As passionately as we love our sports, with a dedication that we willingly give while pushing aside so many, too many other things, life has a way of delivering a wakeup call that quickly resets our priorities and relegates sports to a more appropriate position, after our health and after our loved ones.  Last evening, under the lights of Swanton High School’s David W. Hansbarger Stadium, we were given a stark reminder of how important it is to practice this philosophy.

Prior to the boys’ soccer match between the visiting Delta Panthers and the hometown Swanton Bulldogs, a tribute was paid to Catherine-Gee Robinson, a Soccer Mom who is in the midst of battling colon cancer.  Cathy has been a heavily involved parent in support of the Bulldogs soccer program while watching her son Jake, SHS Class of 2023, compete on the pitch for his school. 

Unfortunately, as she began to experience some health symptoms during son Jake’s senior year, she held off seeking medical attention, chalking it up to “getting older” and being tired.  In February of this year, Cathy’s symptoms became progressively worse and she finally saw a doctor who recommended she undergo a colonoscopy.  She was surprised at the advice, believing you had to be 50 years of age before needing a colonoscopy, but was told the suggested age is now 45.

The test results found a tumor blocking both the large and small intestines.  Further testing discovered that the cancer had spread to her liver and several lymph nodes.   In May Cathy underwent surgery to remove the tumor along with sections of her intestines and later began chemotherapy treatments.  To date, her body is responding very well to the chemotherapy, but she will now begin a series of radiation treatments to battle the tumors on her liver.

The special night for Cathy, unknown to her or her family, was put together by Swanton head-coach Ronnie Rico and Lisa Wylie and coordinated with Delta head-coach KJ Abair.  Both teams wore special uniforms donated by North Star Bluescope of Delta for the match with the name “Robinson” on the back and colored with dark blue for colon cancer and pink.

This particular game was chosen because, growing up, Jake had played travel soccer with many of the Panther players and had actually played for Coach Abair.  In another ironic twist, Amy Roth, mother of Panther goalie Brodey Roth, was also diagnosed with colon cancer last year and a special tribute to her was held In Delta during its match with Swanton.  Cathy remembers that game quite well.

“I remember going to the Delta game last year where Amy Roth and everyone were trying to make people more aware of colon cancer and I talked to her in the stands,” recalled Cathy.  “I kept thinking, ‘Just go and take the test.  If you’re not feeling well, go and see a doctor.’  But it was Jake’s senior year and I had basketball games to go to.”

Looking at Cathy last night she appeared to be just fine, smiling and talking like it was an ordinary day in the life of a mother with two teenagers growing up in Smalltown, America.  She was a profile in courage, facing what is next with respect to her illness.  Cathy’s story is a cautionary tale and she wants everyone to raise awareness of this disease. Caught in time, colon cancer has a 90% survival rate.  “Be an advocate for your health.  Be an advocate for yourself,” said Cathy.  “Take the test.  It’s a simple test.  And I will tell you that chemo is way worse that a colonoscopy.  So, take the colonoscopy.”  Great advice from a very brave woman.

Photo: Cathy Robinson with husband Wayne, daughter Audrey, son Jake and the Swanton and Delta boys soccer teams.