Lisa Leslie and I have something in common. No, it’s not basketball. I’ve been to a few Los Angeles Sparks’ games at the Staples Center and have watched in awe as this four-time gold medal winner, three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player, and a seven-time All-Star, led her team to many victories. Her Sparks coach, former Laker champion, Michael Cooper, calls her “Smooth” at practice and on the court. At 6’5”, she is the first woman to dunk in a WNBA game. I, on the other hand, can barely dribble a basketball.
What we have in common is that we both lost a parent to liver cancer. While speaking with Lisa early one morning, she shared with me, “After the 2000 Olympics in Australia, my stepfather was diagnosed with liver cancer. Since he suffered from diabetes, he went to monthly medical appointments to keep his diabetes stable and checked his blood panel on a regular basis. When his liver enzymes were elevated, no one diagnosed the reason as cancer. After a biopsy, everyone was shocked with the discovery and more shocked to hear there were no options.” Her stepfather died three months later.
My stepmother had elevated liver enzymes too. After three days of tests, she was diagnosed with liver cancer and died one week later. She was given no options, just pain medication to keep her comfortable.
According to the American Cancer Society, “Liver Cancer is a serious disease that may not exhibit symptoms until it has progressed to a later stage. For men, the average risk of getting liver or bile duct cancer is approximately 1 in 100, for women 1 in 250.”
Lisa has teamed up with Covidien, a leading provider of healthcare products, to launch an educational website: www.MyLiverCancerOptions.com to provide information and treatment options to patients and their loved ones. “I believe it is critical to inform others about prevention and treatments such as freezing or burning the diseased areas,” shared Lisa.
Lisa and her husband, Michael Lockwood reside in the South Bay area. This Sparks center player shared that she is retiring at the end of 2009 season and hanging up her #9 jersey. “I’m four months pregnant with our second child together,” said Lisa. She had two stepchildren with Michael. One is 18 years old and attending Baylor University and the other, a 15 years old at Mira Costa High School. Their two-year-old, Lauren, is excited about a new addition to the family. “She is our boy and girl wrapped into one person,” stated Lisa. “Lauren is very friendly and will introduce herself to strangers as Lauren Jolie Lockwood,” she says with a giggle. “She plays tennis, practices gymnastics and enjoys swimming.” Time will tell if she becomes a champion on the basketball court.
I asked Lisa why she chose the jersey #9? “Michael Jordan was number nine on the Dream Team and all the best international basketball players wear number nine, so I chose it and wore it proudly for the USA Olympic team,” stated Lisa.
When I asked what her goals are for 2010? “I look forward to being a great wife, mother, and having a happy family.” Lisa has a natural ability to speak and advocate for others in front of the camera and off. As an accomplished model, commentator, and spokeswoman, her involvement with the March of Dimes, Liver Cancer Awareness, and Breast Cancer Awareness provides educational tools and options to those in need. This angel is a winner on the court and off. To learn more about Lisa Leslie, read her book: Don’t Let the Lipstick Fool You: The Making of Champion.
Jill Weinlein is a mother of two and lives near Pasadena. She can be reached at weinlein@sbcglobal.net.
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