PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Debbie Richards Celebrates Home Run For Life

July 12, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City RedHawks and INTEGRIS Health are proud to continue the "Home Run for Life" series on Saturday, July 13. The RedHawks and INTEGRIS will honor Debbie Richards, an Oklahoma City native who overcame Stage 4 breast cancer thanks to treatments at the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute of Oklahoma.

"Home Run for Life" recognizes people in the Oklahoma City community who, with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals, have overcome a significant medical event in their life. Honorees are recognized during the game and get to take a home run "lap" around the bases, symbolizing the end of a battle against adversity.

"We are very proud to partner with INTEGRIS Health and continue the ‘Home Run for Life' series," RedHawks President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. "It gives us a chance to highlight some special people who have summoned a lot of courage and strength to get where they are today."

Debbie had always lived a healthy life, eating well and regularly exercising. In 26 years as a physical therapist technician with INTEGRIS Health she never once called in sick.

After noticing some discoloration and having some pain in her breast, Debbie went to visit Dr. Brian Geister, an oncologist she had worked with at INTEGRIS. Shortly before her 49th birthday, Dr. Geister had to deliver the unfortunate news to Debbie that she had widely-metastatic breast cancer. The cancer was Stage 4, and Debbie's prognosis was not good.

Debbie began chemotherapy treatments, and eventually her tumor marker severely dropped. Her prognosis progressively started to look better. Despite the rigorous recovery process, Debbie was always in high spirits during her treatments. She was determined to fight through the cancer in order to see the birth of her grandson, Mason.

Debbie has been in remission for 18 months, but still receives treatments. She must take chemotherapy pills every three weeks since there is a strong chance the cancer could return.

Given her initial prognosis, doctors and nurses at the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute of Oklahoma consider Debbie's turnaround a "miracle." Debbie credits her recovery to Dr. Geister, her grandson, Mason, and the overwhelming support she received while in treatment from her family and friends.

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