Legs and lungs burning, Tim Wigginton climbs upward, squinting into the sun and inhaling the cold, heady scent of evergreens. At the pinnacle, he takes a moment to revel in his achievement.
Then he begins to plan his next ascent.
“I’ve always loved mountains,” Tim says. “I like to be at the top—and then look down and see everything below.”
Tim acquired his tenacity and drive as a small boy, when faced with a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He says St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provided him with the tools and inspiration to scale that mountain, and he’s never looked back.
Tim and his family arrived at St. Jude in 1977. Throughout chemotherapy and radiation treatments, his parents constantly emphasized the importance of a positive attitude, encouraging their son to focus on the future.
Tim Wigginton acquired his tenacity and drive as a small boy, faced with a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
That optimism and determination extended to his professional life, where he achieved the position of sales director at a global health care company.
“Cancer made me the way I am,” he says. “I had to fight for my life at 10 years old. I experienced things that children never are supposed to go through. But as a result, if someone tells me I can’t do something, I say, ‘No, get out of my way. I’ll show you I can do it.’ I think that makes me want to climb a higher mountain the next time.”
Through the St. Jude LIFE long-term follow-up study, he helps the next generation of cancer survivors while learning to maintain his own health.
I had to fight for my life at 10 years old. I experienced things that children never are supposed to go through.
“The St. Jude LIFE study has educated me a lot,” says Tim, who keeps scrupulous records of medical screenings and makes a conscious effort to pursue a healthful lifestyle.
He continues to set lofty goals. Next up is Mt. Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous U.S. And his long- term objective?
“I’m turning 50 years old, and you’ll have about 50 more out of me,” he says. “I told the doctor at St. Jude LIFE that I’m going to be the oldest living St. Jude survivor.”
From Promise, Spring 2017
More articles from this issue
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Childhood Leukemia: High Risk, High Rewards
In St. Jude labs and clinics, scientists work day and night to find cures for children with high-risk leukemias.
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Blood and Platelets: A Different Kind of Donation
St. Jude performs about 800 blood product transfusions each month. You can help a child by donating blood or platelets in Memphis.
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Bringing Science into the Classroom
Through St. Jude cancer education activities, research comes alive for students and their teachers.
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Saving Eyes and Lives Worldwide
St. Jude harnesses technology to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of the eye cancer retinoblastoma.
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Saving Kids in Your Community
The St. Jude Give thanks. Give hope. campaign helps support St. Jude, whose treatment plans can save lives in hometowns like yours.
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The Early Childhood Clinic: A Second Chance at a First Start
The St. Jude Early Childhood Clinic helps babies and toddlers achieve developmental milestones during treatment.
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Scientific Sleuths Solve Medical Mystery
St. Jude scientists investigate a genetic mutation that rendered a bacteria antibiotic-tolerant. In finding the cure, they may save more lives.
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Helping the Children
A couple uses a donor-advised fund to help St. Jude kids.
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Out of this World
St. Jude patients join BestBuy employees in creating crafts, playing with mini robots and mixing tunes.
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Research Highlights - Promise Spring 2017
Find out about advancements in areas of cancer survivorship, genomics, leukemia, colon cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and end-of-life care.