Cancer Survivor Hosts Golf Tourney to Support Jimmy Fund
– Allison Goldsberry
Medford native Rick Giovino is only twenty-three-years-old, and he is a three-time testicular cancer survivor.
“It has been a rocky road the last three years or so and has significantly changed my life,” said Giovino. “I have put life into a completely different perspective after going down the road I’ve traveled. I have a much greater appreciation for the little things in life as well as the bigger, obvious things most importantly [like] friends and family.”
Giovino and friend Timmy Patterson, whose father passed away from cancer, are hosting a golf tournament in June, with all proceeds going to the Jimmy Fund.
“I decided after my third surgery to do my part in making a difference for cancer victims and their families,” said Giovino. “Because I have a passion for golf and have played in several charity tournaments, I decided to put together one myself. We [Giovino and Timmy] have both had our lives significantly altered by cancer and have such a passion to fight cancer and raise awareness in the process.”
The disease never did slow down Giovino, a talented golfer who competed in both high school and college. Giovino graduated in 2008 from Malden Catholic and recently graduated from Assumption College in Worcester, where he majored in Business Management and Marketing.
Ever the avid golfer and athlete, a battle with cancer came an an unwelcome surprise for Giovino while he was in college.
“This is something you would never in a million years picture yourself to be involved with,” said Giovino. “I have always seen myself as an outgoing and fun to be around type of guy and was determined to not let this disease step in my way. Going through this in the middle of my junior and senior year of college was not the ideal situation…College is suppose to be the best years of a young kid’s life and I certainly wasn’t going to let cancer get in the way.”
Giovino’s positive attitude kept him going during challenging times.
“It was very difficult being an athlete and busy body to be sidelined for several weeks due to surgeries and treatments but I accepted the challenge and made a commitment to make every effort to beat cancer doing whatever it takes,” said Giovino. “I have always been an active guy who exercises and eats right my entire life so hearing the news that I had cancer was truly a shock. I pride myself on being the guy that has cancer but [you] would never know it unless I told you myself.”
Giovino credits his family and friends for helping him stay positive and fot remaining by his side during surgeries and doctors’ visits.
“God has truly blessed me with many amazing people…I firmly believe I would not be as courageous, determined and successful as I consider myself to be, without them,” said Giovino. “Those people are Rick and Dawn Giovino, my parents, my aunts Lynda and Lisa Giovino, aunt and uncle Leanne and Bill Naisse, aunt, uncle and cousins Ron, Jeanne, Ronnie, Danielle and Lauren Giovino, aunt, uncle and cousins Rob, Wendy, Kayla ,and Kristina and my true best friends, Jay Davis, Craig Hooper, Pat Long, Pat Souza and Jerry Savino. These people saved my life and mean more than words can describe to me.”
The first annual Mike Patterson “Don’t Ever Lay Up” invitational golf tournament is taking place on Friday, June 14 at Mount Hood Golf Course in Stoneham. For more information contact contact donteverylayup@gmail.com or mikepattersongolf@gmail.com.