A hero of his own story

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Cullen Cino’s little brother did a book report on “It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life,” about Lance Armstrong’s battle with testicular cancer. Cino’s mom, his dad, his grandmother and his sister have all read it and its sequel, “Every Second Counts,” numerous times.

But Cino, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer August 2010, at the beginning of his senior year at Flagler Palm Coast High School, isn’t interested in reading it.

“I’m going through it,” he said. “I’m a different person, I’m not Lance Armstrong.”

Since 2010, Cino has had two surgeries and four rounds of chemotherapy, finishing his last round the week of Christmas, at Mayo Clinic, in Jacksonville.

But that hasn’t stopped Cino from taking three advanced placement classes and one dual-enrolled class at Daytona State College in addition to being a member of Future Problem Solvers, Community Problem Solvers and Model U.N. at FPC.

“He never stops giving to his team and its mission; he never asks for exceptions; never misses deadlines,” said his teacher and Future Problem Solvers adviser, Diane Tomko. “He pushes through his personal trial to give to others.”

And for that, Tomko considers him a hero.

He has missed a lot of school, but Cino said he works hard to get his work done and apply for colleges.

Cino recently went through another surgery at the University of Indiana at Purdue, a center that specializes in testicular cancer treatments — the center where Armstrong had his procedure.

Cino’s lymph nodes were removed, and pathology showed no signs that the cancer has returned.

“When I think about it now, there’s nothing that could be as challenging anymore,” Cino said. “I already faced this. I can tackle anything now.”

A CALL TO SURVIVIORS

The annual Relay for Life event is held overnight because, according to the American Cancer Society, “Cancer never sleeps.”

This year’s event will take place starting 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 13, with a closing ceremony 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Palm Coast Town Center.

Volunteers are looking for more survivors to be the guests of honor at the opening ceremonies of this year’s event.

A survivor is anyone who has ever been told, “You have cancer.” If you are a survivor, contact Bob Gamblain, survivor chairman, by visiting www.relayforlife.org/flaglerfl or call the local American Cancer Society office at 274-3274.

Survivors are not required to run or walk and there is no charge to be honored.