Photo gallery >>

RSS

BLOG

Home > Support Us > Spirit of Courage > Honorees

Support Us

SSJ Spirit of Courage Honoree

Megan Collins

When asked to name individuals who have helped to inspire and shape our faith and spirit, many would mention respected, honored, and beloved adults from home, neighborhood, church, or school. Some might refer to relatives or coaches; others might indicate heroes from history, government, sports, or entertainment. Regardless of the source, these people share a unique yet common bond, for in the eyes of those they have inspired, these role models can all be acknowledged as teachers. Whether by word, deed, or action; whether instruction was provided at home, on the field, from a pulpit, or in a classroom; or from a book, lecture, film, or concert performance, these lifelong inspirations – these stars in our lives – are united, for in every instance, they have, by their example, moved us to reach, to strive, to become. Throughout her life, both personally and professionally, in word, deed, and in action, Megan Collins has proven herself a model teacher to everyone she meets.

Formative Years…and Beyond

Even as a child, Megan inspired admiration as she demonstrated the strength of her determination and indomitable spirit. Just four years old, she competed in a swim meet – vying for a prized strip of candy –buoyed with just one water wing and cheers from her brother, sister, and cousin. Laura Misko, a lifelong friend, credits Megan for encouraging her to complete two early rites of passage: crossing the monkey bars and riding a two-wheeler.
Throughout high school, Megan consistently attained high honor roll status and excelled in swimming and soccer. During the summers, she worked as a lifeguard at Presque Isle. After graduating, Megan entered the University of Pittsburgh, where she maintained dean’s list status, held a part-time job, continued life-guarding in the summer, and graduated Cum Laude. Continuing her education, Megan then took her first step towards attaining formal recognition as a teacher when she completed her Master of Education degree. When school bells rang in September 2009, Megan returned to Millcreek’s Tracy Elementary School, excited to begin her 16th year of teaching.
To stay fit and healthy, Megan has always been a watchful and wise consumer: she has monitored her diet, adhered to the prescribed timetable for medical exams, and has never smoked. After her college years, Megan continued to swim regularly, became a serious runner, and eventually, took up competitive cycling. When she entered her first triathlon, she was hooked! Since that 1993 experience, Megan has competed and won first place finishes and championship titles in numerous local endurance races including the Highnmark Quad games as well as other triathlons, duathlons, and marathons. She has also chosen to participate in races beyond the local venue. Particularly, she cites taking part in the New York City Marathon with her husband Mike just a few months after 9/11, as one of her most rewarding achievements. While Megan’s finish qualified her to compete in the 2001 Boston Marathon, she emphasizes the honor she felt as she, her husband, and other athletes joined to honor our country and pay homage to the victims of the Twin Towers tragedy.

An Uninvited Challenge

In fall 2007, one year after a normal mammogram, Megan discovered a very small lump on the side of her left breast. Because of her wholesome lifestyle and because she was only 36, Megan and her family were not overly concerned; however, she recognized the need for vigilance, especially since both of her grandmothers had had breast cancer. Dr. Scutella, her gynecologist, believed the lump was probably a cyst, but sent Megan to Dr. Carol Lyons, a radiologist, as a precaution. Although she did not seem particularly concerned, Dr. Lyons then referred Megan to Dr. Engel, a surgeon, for follow-up. Again, he saw no cause for alarm, but chose to perform an excisional biopsy as he understood that the lump would continue to be regarded problematic during future medical exams.
Nobody had expected that the biopsy would indicate the presence of invasive ductal carcinoma. Nobody had anticipated that the lump itself would be classified benign while the surrounding tissue would be found cancerous. In fact, if Megan had not noticed and responded to the presence of this “kindly” lump, the malignant cells probably would have remained undiscovered for quite some time, increasing the likelihood of an even more somber diagnosis. In the words of Dr. Engel, “It was serendipitous she found the lump.”
As specialists continued to examine Megan, concern deepened when they discovered a suspicious area in her other breast. Megan, who had taken leave from her teaching position at Tracy, underwent an MRI-guided biopsy of the questionable spot; fortunately, to everyone’s relief, no cancer was discovered there. Still, Megan could not yet begin treatment, for while doctors had determined the presence of cancer in her breast in October, they did not know its extent. Thus, following diagnosis and evaluation, in November, she began undergoing a series of widening excisional biopsies to identify the boundaries of the malignancy. Each test necessitated a waiting period for examining the tissue and analyzing results; repeatedly, the long-awaited pathology reports continued to show cancerous cells despite the ever-widening marginal incisions. Megan read and studied all she could to better understand her doctors’ explanations and orders. She drew courage from envisioning the challenges of brutal uphill stretches in races which she and her husband had run…and conquered. She envisioned herself as a competitor in an ironman triathlon, an event Mike had undertaken, and compared each part of her treatment to a leg of that race’s grueling challenge: she equated her surgeries to the event’s swim; chemotherapy paralleled cycling; and finally, radiation, the last event, she associated with running. Her faith in God, confidence in her doctors and surgeons, support of family and friends, and Lance Armstrong’s affirmation that “10% of life is what happens, and 90% is what you choose to do with it,” all encouraged Megan to remain optimistic and determined. As she anticipated her upcoming treatment, Mike detailed his wife’s many achievements, rallying her to summon strength of mind and spirit. Her reply? “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”

Time’s Trials

Finally, between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2007, Megan received reports that her margins were clean. It was initially decided she would not have to receive chemotherapy; however, the Oncatype DX test came back positive, which meant Megan was placed at high risk for her cancer reoccurring within 10 years. With such threatening findings, Megan’s oncologists decided that she should also receive six rounds of chemotherapy. Knowledgeable about the toxicity of her treatments, Megan never complained about fatigue or nausea; instead, she resolved to aid her therapy by exercising and by taking care of her body. Despite experiencing the typical effects of chemotherapy, as well as dealing with an allergic reaction during her second round of treatment, Megan exercised on a regular basis, uncovering newfound energy in physical activity. She received chemotherapy from January through April 2008. When Megan lost her hair, she simply donned brightly colored scarves; she regularly made cookies and treats for the staff and patients at Erie’s Regional Cancer Center, and she uplifted everyone’s spirit with her bright and beautiful smile! Following chemotherapy, Megan received six weeks of daily radiation.

It was also determined from her original biopsy that Megan tested positive for the HER2 gene, which meant her cancer was a particularly aggressive form of the disease. In addition to receiving six rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation, Megan received Herceptin treatments for one year. Additionally, because her tumor was estrogen positive, Megan underwent a total hysterectomy in January 2009.
In 2007, Megan had received devastating news. She had faced challenging treatment and a measure of uncertainty. Still, she always proved herself a positive model of energy and faith. In fact, in recognition of her heroic spirit, Megan received the 2008 Holly Loft Courage award. Its inscription, “Yesterday I dared to struggle, today I dare to win,” is certainly a fitting tribute to Megan’s life story. Always blessed with competitive drive, since her diagnosis and treatment, Megan has resumed training and has participated in the Highmark Quad events as a team member of Edinboro’s Triathlon and in the MS 150 two-day 150 mile bike ride for Multiple Sclerosis. She also took part in several bike races and running competitions and is scheduled to complete a half marathon this fall. Additionally, she and her husband have signed up to complete Ironman Lake Placid in July 2010.

In the Winner’s Circle

Besides being an inspirational competitor, Megan Collins has also always proven herself an inspirational teacher; she’s created opportunities for all students to be successful in facing new or challenging experiences. To encourage students to participate in positive leisure activities, she initiated Dare to Have a Hobby Day. Megan also established a weekly walk/run series throughout the months of summer vacation. Upon completing this program – open to youngsters regardless of mental or physical limitations – competitors’ perseverance is rewarded by participating in the Kids Marathon, a 1.2 mile run at the beginning of Erie’s annual marathon.

Since her return to Tracy, Megan has continued to help students recognize and enjoy the importance of maintaining physical fitness by promoting the Highmark QUAD games and encouraging children and their families to take part in healthy activities. Also, Megan supports opportunities for her students to get involved in community service projects. In response, they have assembled a collection of more than 250 recipes which have been compiled and published in a cookbook; funds raised from this undertaking will benefit cancer research.

Megan touches listeners with her knowledge and devotion. In response to questions about her own health experiences, she is firm that individuals must advocate for their own health, partnering with their caregivers. She has spoken about her battle with cancer at the kickoff luncheon for the American Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. Nationally, she is one of three breast cancer survivors chosen from across the nation to serve as a spokesperson for Under Armor’s Power in Pink campaign, an annual October promotion to raise funds for breast cancer research. In 2008, Megan returned to her elementary alma mater, St. George School, to speak at the 8th grade commencement. Characteristically, she used the opportunity to share her insights about meeting challenges and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

So what inspires Megan?

She relies on the support of her family and friends. She upholds a holistic approach to health care and espouses yoga, relaxation techniques, acupuncture, and massage. Megan shares that spiritual support has been essential in her journey to health as she’s depended on friends’ and family’s offering of Masses, prayers, prayer cards, gifts of holy oil, and devout comfort. Acknowledging a few well-worn but powerful maxims, Megan avows that “God only gives us what we can handle,” but quickly adds that “The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything, but they make the best of everything they have.” Clearly, in word, deed, and in action – regardless of the challenge – Megan Collins models determination, faith, and courage…qualities all would do well to emulate.