Gary Rosson was honored by the NC Triangle Komen Race for the Cure as the 2011 winner of the Co-Survivor Award. Rosson is a research associate in the lab of UNC Lineberger faculty member Scott Bultman.
Rosson’s wife, Robin, died of breast cancer in October 2010. She was a program assistant for the Get REAL & Heel program, an after care breast cancer program, and a sales support coordinator at Arcatech Systems in Mebane, NC.
Gary’s award cited him “for his unconditional love and support to his wife, Robin, during her fight against breast cancer and his selfless commitment to raising their two sons, Paul and Ryan.
Diane Groff, PhD, Rosson’s nominator, associate professor of exercise and sports science, and co-director of the Get REAL & HEEL Program, said, “Co-survivors sacrifice in countless ways to maintain the quality of life of their partners undergoing cancer treatment. Gary is deserving of this award because of all he brought to his wife’s life during their short five-year marriage, and because of his selfless commitment to raising his two adopted sons.” Groff is an associate member of UNC Lineberger.
Rosson said, “It was such an honor and privilege to share the last five years with Robin and to be blessed with the opportunity to serve as one of her caregivers during such an intimate process. Care-giving is a joint effort. Without thoughtful and faithful friends and family and the understanding and patience of our employers, real care-giving would be virtually impossible. While I am truly honored to receive such a thoughtful and meaningful award, it really belongs to all who loved and cared for Robin all her life, especially the last few years of it. ”