Volunteering comes naturally for cancer survivor
Kim Schmidt, Kearney HubTHERESA BAACK of Kearney is probably best known for the red 2002 Chevrolet Suburban she drives because it has American Cancer Society and Relay For Life messages on the back window.
Posted: Saturday, March 12, 2011 6:00 am |Updated: 2:11 am, Sat Mar 12, 2011.
KEARNEY — In fighting cancer, attitude is everything. No one knows that better than Theresa Baack of Kearney, who has plenty of attitude.
“I have a huge attitude,” Baack said with a giggle.
A cancer survivor and volunteer for the American Cancer Society, Baack, 42, is the medical category winner in the Hub’s 2011 Freedom Awards.
Tara Knuth of Kearney was one of four people to nominate Baack, calling her the face of the American Cancer Society in Buffalo County and across the country.
“She has used her voice in Kearney to soothe a newly diagnosed patient or to secure another sponsorship donation; in Lincoln to advocate for the ban on smoking and changes in cancer screenings by insurance; in Dallas, Texas, to change policies on survivor development and train new volunteers in the fight; and in Washington, D.C., to make sure no one forgets that cancer affects everyone.”
A rarely speechless Baack said she was surprised by the honor.
“I’m really dumbfounded. It’s awesome,” Baack said. “It’s very humbling.”
Baack became involved with Relay For Life in 1998 when she joined a workplace team. Shortly after that, she became the Relay For Life chairperson.
“Once you go, you just can’t stop,” Baack said of the annual fundraiser for ACS.
The work with ACS has come naturally. Baack discovered 31 members of her family had died of different kinds of cancer. She’s active in several ACS aspects: the Reach for Recovery program, which provides support for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients; as a regional survivorship specialist; in the Cancer Action Network, which lobbies for ACS; and is on the task force to help with marketing and communication for Relays For Life throughout the state.
In 2009, she was named the Hero of Hope for the Nebraska region. The award recognizes survivors who have triumphed over cancer, made significant contributions to cancer control and had an effect in the lives of others. She’s also active with Good Samaritan Hospital’s breast cancer support group.
“She doesn’t just walk, she runs, jumps and would do cartwheels if she could. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and her dedication is unmatched,” said Ethel White of Kearney, another person who nominated Baack.
Baack says it’s the bond with fellow cancer survivors and other volunteers that makes her efforts worthwhile.
“It’s like another whole family,” she said.
In 2003, Baack’s sister Kathy Lewis of Kearney, died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A year later, Baack was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Lewis died three days after Baack completed her radiation treatment .
In 2005, Baack was re-diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite treatment and eventual bilateral mastectomy Baack continued to be active with her ACS volunteer duties. She now is in remission.
“Talking to other breast cancer patients and telling them they can survive has helped me with my own recovery. Attitude is everything,” Baack said. “If I can help in anyway possible and be someone to talk to, I will. You just have to ask.”
Baack is possibly best known for the red 2002 Chevrolet Suburban she drives. It has ACS and Relay For Life messages on the back window.
“I am pretty much a walking billboard. A lot of people honk at me,” Baack said .
The youngest of 11 children born to Doris and the late John Keough of Kearney, Baack credits her older siblings for a good share of her attitude. She also credits her parents and her faith in God.
“Mamma always says it’s not going my way, it’s going God’s way. He’s got the plan, I don’t,” she said.
Baack would eventually like to be a ACS division-level Relay For Life trainer who teaches people in how to put on annual events. For now, she plans to live her life much like a friend from Lincoln who died earlier this month of breast cancer.
“Dying is easy. Living is hard,” Baack said.
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