Giving Back Locally

“I never expected to be 42-years old with twin daughters and have cancer,” says Parker Dixon, who was diagnosed with breast cancer two days before Thanksgiving in 2012. “I am thankful I am here to talk about it and have the opportunity to tell as many people as I can about my positive experience and the excellent care that I received at Massey.”

When an MRI revealed a tumor the size of an eraser from a #2 pencil, Parker knew immediately where she would seek treatment. “Massey holds a special place in my heart,” says Parker, whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years earlier was treated at Massey by Dr. Mary Helen Hackney.  “I knew I was in good hands—that was so important,” she says.  As she underwent four chemotherapy treatments and surgery, she recognized that early detection had saved her life and she wanted to help spread awareness and give back. 

An avid runner, Parker has three marathons and ten half-marathons under her belt.  She was also a veteran of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, and previously participated in the 2007 Massey Challenge in honor of her mother—never expecting she’d receive her own diagnosis a few years later.  ”Running for my mother was so meaningful for me,” says Parker.  “This year I’ll run to celebrate my own survivorship as well and having a team around me will mean even more.” 

“I want to use my story as an introduction to those who are not familiar with Massey,” says Parker. By reaching out to all her friends and sharing some of her story, Parker hopes to start conversations not only about the Massey Challenge, but also about raising awareness for cancer research and early detection. “I would love to raise more than $1,000 this year and then have a team that slowly increases the dollar amount in future years.  This is only the beginning,” says Parker.

In addition to her family, Parker will have her training partner of more than ten years, Raegan,  by her side. Both Raegan and Parker’s passion for Massey runs deep as they both served on the Massey Alliance, Massey’s junior board for young professionals, several years ago. “Raegan was very supportive throughout my entire treatment and I know she will be one of my biggest advocates not only on race day, but throughout the entire Massey Challenge,” says Parker.

Ultimately, raising awareness through the Massey Challenge is not just for Parker or her mother, but for her twin daughters as well. “I want to help fund research that will help ensure my two girls don’t have to go through what my mother and I have experienced.  And I also want to help other families learn about the importance of early detection and how to reduce their risk, says Parker.  “The Massey Challenge makes it easy to share the Massey message with everyone I can.” 

“My duty is to try and give back and share the experience I had so other people can benefit from it,” says Parker. “I want to give back locally and make a difference where I was treated.”