Inspiring student, inspiring cause
UD freshman battles melanoma through Patient 9 Foundation
11:46 a.m., May 17, 2011--The achievements of University of Delaware freshman Cole Winarick surpass those of many typical first-year students. The finance and marketing major has established and maintains a self-created foundation, Patient 9, which was created last year when his father’s struggle with melanoma skin cancer impelled him to take action.
“I was negative at first and angry about the situation, but eventually my drive and passion made me want to do something,” says Winarick, a native of Linwood, N.J., who drew inspiration from the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, a Delaware-based organization that assists families of critically ill children.
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"After learning about the B+ organization, I knew that was what I needed to do," Winarick says. "I thought to myself, ‘This is it. I’m gonna do it; I’m going to start a foundation.’”
Winarick says Patient 9 differs from other nonprofits because there are very few others dedicated solely to melanoma. Also, his “direct connection to the cause” gives him a unique fervor and every single aspect of the foundation has his “full attention” because it “whole heartedly” affects him.
Patient 9 Foundation has multiple purposes, such as spreading melanoma awareness and raising money for research and treatment through fundraisers and events. The most recent event, a golf outing at Deerfield Country Club, raised more than $20,000 in a single day.
“It’s more than money, more than ‘curing cancer,’ more than changing my father’s life,” says Winarick, “My father has the immediate pain but his disease affects everyone greatly, so the foundation extends far beyond the typical purposes.”
Everyone affected includes Winarick’s mother, who he says puts her husband at the center of her universe as her first priority and never hesitates to help with the foundation in any way she can.
Winarick also has help from Sigma Chi fraternity brothers such as Anthony Maiello, who he says “is up there with my mom for superhero status.”
However, Winarick explains the hardest part of running the foundation is not having enough time to do all of the things he wants to do. “It gets so overwhelming and is consistent stress because I want things done the right way -- all the little things that go into this are all huge things to me.”
“The return is emotional for me, not monetary,” explains Winarick. His most vividly emotional moment occurred when his parents arrived after his father’s radiation treatment to sign the papers making Patient 9 an official foundation. “They were crying and were so proud of me -- moments like that make it worth it.”
From this experience he learned more about himself and the world around him. “Nothing can stop me from moving forward -- just when I think the hardest has passed, 10 harder things hit me, but I won’t stop. I’m also a more positive person: My outlooks have changed because I know there is always hope. This foundation has given me hope.”
Winarick also says, “I thought there was a lot of evil in this world, but I’ve come to learn there is always someone that wants to help -- everyone has the enthusiasm inside them to reach out.”
Winiarick’s inspiring spirit prevails even though his father’s condition has worsened. He hopes to inspire others to change their outlooks on life and family. “I want to change people’s outlooks on cancer to be more positive by giving them something to believe in,” he says, “and don’t ever take your family for granted or waste time on the little stuff.
“Practice safe sun and always remember there is a positive in every negative. When things get bad, they can always get worse, so don’t ever let yourself be broken by it and keep your chin up.”
For more information on Patient 9, Cole Winarick or how to donate, visit the foundation’s website.
Article by Kayla Codina