Charleston Oncology National Cancer Survivor Month

June is National Cancer Survivor Month and throughout the month we are honoring our brave patients and sharing their inspirational stories. National Cancer Survivor Month celebrates those who have beat cancer and those who are currently in treatment.

Charleston Oncology patient, Jimmy Waddell, has a particularly inspiring story. His cancer journey began in May of 2014 when he was diagnosed with Stage Four Melanoma. At the time of his diagnosis, he was told that he would only have 6 months to a year to live.

Waddell was given an immunotherapy drug, OPDIVO, as a treatment, with no guarantee that it would work. However, he battled his cancer and is still alive today (7 years later)! He credits this to his treatment and most importantly, Dr. Orcutt. Jimmy’s wife had cancer as well and was also treated by Dr. Orcutt.

Waddell says that Dr. Orcutt put in every effort to maintain his quality of life and for that, he refers to Dr. Orcutt as his hero. On Dr. Orcutt, Waddell said, “He cares deeply about his patients”. Waddell said he appreciated Dr. Orcutt’s focus on the quality of life, rather than quantity of life as it added an element of positivity to his cancer journey.