Olympian Wendy Brown's 2nd Cancer Battle

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Brown_(heptathlete)

Wendy Brown (US Olympic Heptathlete)

My name is Mauri, I've been a friend & coach of Wendy's since she was a sophomore in high school, when I marveled at her athletic ability the first time I saw her compete. I was present for many of the struggles she endured early in her life. When she went away to college, I lost touch with Wendy for a period, but watched and admired her achievements over the years. I recently learned of her multiple struggles and of her now serious health challenge of a recent return of cancer. As I consider Wendy a little sister, I'm looking to assist her in her latest battle for life.

Knowing she is too proud to ask for herself, and realizing the difficulties she has had and sadly, is continuing to face, I am asking those who know, have known and will never have the pleasure of knowing Wendy - including any supporters of Olympic athletes, and of people who have pulled themselves from their difficult beginnings to find successes - to offer any assistance they are able to contribute so that Wendy might be able to support herself and get the medical assistance she needs during her ongoing cancer battle.

BIO -

Wendy Renee Brown (born January 28, 1966) is a retired Heptathlete and Triple Jumper from the United States. She competed in the Heptathlon at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, finishing in 18th place behind teammate Jackie Joyner Kersee's still current World Record. As the Triple Jump was in transition to becoming an official women's event, Wendy set the World Record in the women's Triple Jump twice in the mid-1980s. As this was before the event was declared official, neither of those records were officially ratified. Wendy went to the University of Southern California where she won the 1986 NCAA Indoor Championship in the Triple Jump and later winning 1988 NCAA Championship in the Heptathlon. She is still the USC school record holder in the Triple Jump and Heptathlon, as well as being ranked second in Long Jump and High Jump, and fifth in the Javelin Throw.

In 1984, while competing for Woodside High School, Wendy won the CIF California State Track team title for her high school singlehandedly, the only athlete to ever accomplish that feat. She scored 38 points winning the Long Jump, Triple Jump and High Jump, and was second in the 100m Hurdles behind future "Fastest Woman in the World" Gail Devers. Her 42'10½" jump that year was the NFHS National High School Record in the Triple Jump for seven years. Later in 1984 she won the Pan American Junior Championships in the Long Jump and finished 2nd in the 100 Meter Hurdles.

In 1990, Wendy had success as a contestant in the television series American Gladiators.

A PERSONAL LETTER FROM WENDY -

Hi, it's Wendy, I wanted to thank you and share with you my latest health news. I have metastatic breast cancer.

Before my diagnosis, I had begun work on starting my sports foundation: The Wendy Brown Sports Foundation. The foundations' initial project and focus was on a house for foster children which would offer them life guidance, support, education, sports coaching, family values, love and affection… everything a young child needs for success in life but because of circumstances might not have or get. I didn't have any of these things. That is why I never had children.

If I was ever able to take care of children, I would have had children. Most of my life I was barely able to take care of myself. Many people think that being an Olympic athlete and setting a world record makes you rich or gets you money. I have struggled financially most of my life. I watched my mom struggle to raise 8 children all by herself. She saw 4 of her 5 daughters dropout of high school. Many times I saw my mom crying, and many times she said to me she was tired of struggling, tired of working hard all her life and getting nowhere.

My mother took her own life the day after Thanksgiving 1983. I never knew my father.

A week after my mother died I came home from school to my sister telling me I had to find a place to live because she couldn't pay the rent and she was moving in with her boyfriend. It was a blessing that a high school teammate's parents offered me a place to live.

As a 17 year old senior in high school, I was heavily recruited and received an athletic scholarship to USC allowing me the opportunity to receive an education, as I had betterment goals I hoped to meet one day. Upon graduating from USC, I became the only of five daughters to graduate HS or college.

During my time at USC, in addition to receiving a much appreciated education, I also went on to become a two time NCAA champion and broke the World Record in the Triple Jump twice and later earned a spot as a Heptathlete in the 1988 Seoul Olympic games eventually finishing 18th.

Now at 57 and long retired from competition, I have been experiencing multiple health issues. I beat breast cancer at 50, but had to have my breast removed. Not long after, I came down with Covid at 56 and was hospitalized for 2 months in an induced coma and put on a respirator, during which time my lung collapsed. With the prayers and support of many, I made it through that struggle. Thank God. Again, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Much love. Though I wasn't the most popular back in college, so many of you were always supportive.

As my life started to get back on track, this past August I suffered an accident on my Sea-doo when I was hit by someone riding my other Sea-doo on a river. When I was taken to the hospital for x-rays for broken bones (I had nine broken bones), the x-rays revealed something else… I was instructed to contact my cancer doctor.

My doctor ordered a P.E.T. scan and a biopsy, revealing the breast cancer had returned.

In early January of 2023, unfortunately, I learned I now have metastatic breast cancer. It is incurable and has spread to my lungs.

It's only been a few weeks, but I still feel like I'm gonna wake up and discover it's all just a nightmare. Well, I have been doing all sorts of research. With all the treatments available now, women are living longer. I recently started my treatments. Though the typical survival rate is 3-5 years, an exciting new medical treatment is allowing some women to live up to 20 years after diagnosis, and a small percentage of women ended up in remission. My doctor obviously can't offer any assurances, but he indicated that not having any symptoms and getting an early diagnosis is very favorable. If any of you know anything on this subject or know anyone with more knowledge on this subject, please make me aware.

I'm gonna work towards the best case scenario, I have never once really thought I would die young. And I still don't see that now. I saw myself in this world, old and gray someday and I am going to fight to accomplish that!

I turned 57 on the 28th of January. In 20 years I would be 77. I'll accept my faith. It is in God's hands, so now I'll fight with the support, prayers and encouragement from you and many others.

Unfortunately, I am now unable to work and have many expenses, including having to travel out of state for treatments, plus additional treatment facility costs, rent, utilities, phone, cancer nutritionist, special diet and I'm unable to support myself at this time of struggle.

In the future there may be in-home medical assistant care costs, for at least 2 years possibly longer. I'm told that all these expenses will add up to approximately $200,000 over the next 2 years, so that's my target here in asking for any generous assistance that any of you are able to provide.

Well, with your support and with my best effort, I want to beat this cancer against all odds, and continue my work towards a successful life guidance program for our fostered youth.

So, for now, I'm trying to stay positive and take one day, each day, at a time and appreciate my life and what I have. Control what I can, and let my friends prayers, love and God handle the rest.

I am writing to ask you to help support me and my cause. Your donation would make a big impact and help me obtain everything I may need in this battle to save my life. And if I'm able to at least prolong my life long enough, my goal is to finish my life's mission.

The goal amount or any amount you can donate will go a long way in helping me extend my life and achieve my goals. Thank you in advance for your contribution. You have no idea how much it means to me to have your support.

- Wendy