SPF Rallies to Support Cancer-Stricken Teacher

Teachers and students at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School have joined forces with the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA to host a 5K run and one-mile fun run April 16 titled “United for a Cause.” The event will benefit the Diane McGovern Fund, named after a former English teacher who has been battling inflammatory breast cancer for more than three years. They are hoping to raise money to help McGovern, 48, and her family pay mounting medical bills. 

The YMCA is hosting the event as part of its Activate America program, which is geared toward raising awareness of health issues relating to lifestyle choices.

“My hope is that it will be a day celebrating life and health,” Sheri Cognetti, the Activate America project manager, said in a telephone interview (all interviews for this piece were conducted by phone). “I don’t know Diane, but she is revered by her fellow staff." 

Two of McGovern’s former colleagues at SPFHS are spearheading the event. After taking time off from teaching, Jeanette Birkett returned this year to fill-in for McGovern when she became unable to work. Between classes, Birkett and SPFHS teacher Bob Stevens put together the fundraiser. 

“Jeanette approached me, not only because of what Diane’s going through, but because she’s one of our own,” Stevens said.

McGovern was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) in September 2007, though she added that she had had symptoms for eight months that she had not realized could be cancer-related. IBC is an aggressive and rare form of breast cancer that frequently cannot be detected with mammograms because no lump is present.  Before her diagnosis, McGovern said she went to several doctors.

“I went to one person who was absolutely certain it was a pulled muscle. Another thought it was a blood clot,” McGovern said.   “You say to yourself, this is minor. You almost want to ignore it.” 

The message she wants to send now is the importance of advocating for oneself. 

“Don’t dismiss, disregard or neglect yourself,” she said. “If there’s something wrong, don’t stop until you figure it out.” 

After chemotherapy and surgery, doctors told McGovern she was cancer-free in July 2010. Two weeks later, they discovered that the cancer had actually spread, and that she had three different types of breast cancer. 

According to McGovern’s husband, Tim, insurance has covered much of Diane’s medical costs, but they have about $25,000 in unpaid bills for which they are responsible. Birkett said the Diane McGovern Fund is hoping to raise $10,000 with the 5K event.

“Everyone has been so sympathetic, doing everything they can to help us through this difficult time,” Tim said. “It’s just been extraordinary.” The McGoverns have two sons, Jack and Brian, who are 9 and 7 years old. 

McGovern said that Stevens contacted her while she was sick, telling her that people at school were asking about ways to help. “I’ve loved working with the people I’ve worked with. It’s been heartbreaking to leave,” she said. “I’m grateful they wouldn’t leave me alone.”

According to Birkett, nearly all of the teachers at SPFHS are involved in the 5K event in some capacity, whether helping out behind the scenes or participating in the run. Stevens said that more than 55 teachers from the high school responded to an email that had asked for help running the event.

“It’s hard to accept charity,” McGovern said. “But by the same token, I know how good it feels to give.” 

Stevens noted, “She’s miraculously been so positive through this. I don’t think it has surprised people. They just say, ‘That’s Diane.’”

McGovern describes herself as a fighter. “I’m stubborn,” she said. “I went back to school to earn my PhD – not because I’m brilliant, but because I’m stubborn.”

Birkett remembered that it was soon after McGovern earned her PhD that she was diagnosed with IBC. 

McGovern’s oncologist told her that there’s a strong likelihood her cancer will recur and spread to her brain, lungs and bones, a prognosis McGovern said she has accepted. “I’ve made peace with it. However this is all supposed to turn out, I’m okay with it.”

“I say to my husband, if we were living in the Wild Wild West, I’d be gone,” McGovern said. “There’s reason to be hopeful.”

Those interested in participating in the 5K or the one-mile fun run can register or submit donations at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA or the high school. To download a registration form, click the PDF thumbnail at right. The event starts and ends at the YMCA at 1340 Martine Avenue. To view the race route, click here. In addition to the 5K and the fun run, there will be a food court and booths from vendors. Donations can be made online at dianemcgovernfund.org. 

The McGoverns say they’re overwhelmed by the support they’ve been given, but they’re also eager for the opportunity to educate people about IBC. “If we can make sure people are aware of the symptoms and catch it early,” Tim said, “that makes this even more worthwhile than anything else.”