CHICAGO (WBBM) -- A local Marine is the winner of a survivor award from the the American Society For Radiation Oncology, meeting this week in Chicago.
Three years ago, Gunnery Sgt. Edward Schrank, USMC, at 30, he had what he thought was a minor eye irritation.
Ultimately, he went in for tests. It was a rare cancer.
It was a choice: radiation and rely on hope or give up part of his skull and lose the eye.
He chose the latter.
He's still active duty, but up for medical review soon.
These days, he's helping others with cancer.
Schrank is the founder of Cancer Star, an online community dedicated to Cancer Survivor Teams, Activism, and Resources.
http://cancer-star.org
More information from the American Society for Radiation Oncology:
Schrank was diagnosed with lacrimal cancer on December 20, 2006, while serving as an active duty marine. His doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago attempted to remove the tumor and save his left eye, but were not able to remove all the cancer. Schrank then decided to sacrifice his left eye for a chance at being disease free.
He underwent intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and proton therapy at Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute in Bloomington, Ind., a year later. Since his diagnosis, Schrank has founded C.STAR, a support group that not only focuses on cancer patients but provides a special focus on the support needs of a cancer patient's family and friends. He said the inspiration for the organization was his own support team that consisted of his fellow Marines, doctors and loved ones.
Schrank also devotes his time to giving back to the hospitals where he received treatment. He visits the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the University of Chicago Medical Center Cancer Center weekly to speak to cancer patients and their support teams. While receiving proton treatments in Bloomington, Ind., he spent his free time speaking to the parents of pediatric patients and providing them with support resources
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