Aspiring to Help Others

Aspiring to Help Others

Tim Webb is a graduating senior at VCU and the president of the VCU Cancer Awareness Team with aspirations to pursue a career helping others as a physician and researcher.  How the connection was made between all three is a journey that changed Tim’s life forever.

At age 17, Tim was diagnosed with cancer by VCU neurosurgeon, William Broaddus, MD, PhD, specifically pituitary macroprolactinoma. An initial blood test revealed that Tim’s hormone levels were 100 times higher than average.  A subsequent MRI revealed a tumor on his pituitary gland that doubled the gland’s size. Tim fondly remembers the care and attention to detail paid to him by Dr. Broaddus, who spent extra time in the clinic to ensure Tim understood all aspects of his diagnosis. After taking medication for three months, Tim underwent a successful surgery. “My favorite day is the day I had that surgery.  It will always be my ‘new’ day,” says Time. “Cancer was the worst experience of my life, but at the same time, the best thing that ever happened to me.”

After his surgery, Tim realized that he wanted to use college to explore a career in healthcare. “I said I was going to VCU, because I wanted to connect with patients as part of my education. I wanted to learn the sort of patient care I had been shown,” remembers Tim. At VCU, Tim became involved with the Cancer Awareness Team, a student organization that aims to educate students and the Richmond community about how a healthy lifestyle can reduce cancer risk.

Now, Tim heads bi-monthly meetings and oversees events for the Cancer Awareness Team, where he shares new cancer research to help keep the organization informed. “The Massey Challenge is a great way for our group to make a larger impact,” says Tim. “Throughout the year we hold events for education, and fundraising, so the Challenge is the perfect tool to help us s promoting the live-saving research happening right here in our own backyard. I really enjoy incorporating all aspects of VCU so this is a natural fit” 

“My goal in fundraising is to improve the quality of research. Finding a cure would be great, but I want to broaden the goal when it comes to advancing cancer research so the focus is on making sure all promising concepts are pursued.”

Tim is now experiencing cancer research first hand as he works at Massey Goodwin Research Laboratory and in patient care as he shadows Dr. Broaddus, the same doctor who diagnosed him years ago. As Tim works towards learning more about the medical field in the classroom, he uses his personal connection outside of the classroom through the Massey Challenge to assist with gaining more support.

“Having firsthand experience at Massey helps me connect on a different level,” says Tim. “But the real reason I do this is for others to have the same opportunity that I did for life after cancer.”