
After Billy McMacken, publisher of the Brookings Register, was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer, he knew he had a difficult journey ahead of him.
Fighting cancer is as much a mental battle as it is physical. McMacken explains, “There’s days where you’re okay, you’re confident – and there’s days where it’s kind of dark.”
Whenever he was struggling, it was people showing him kindness that lifted his spirits. For McMacken, “Having someone out of the blue that you don’t expect to hear from” reach out always made him feel better. Many people texted, called, or sent cards to let him know they were thinking of him.
“People were very encouraging,” McMacken said. “I got nothing but love from everybody.”
The community of Brookings helped McMacken and his family by sending dinner and gift cards to help with the cost of groceries and meals while he was undergoing treatment.
They also showed their support by wearing blue bracelets with the line, “In the fight for someone I love.” McMacken and some friends still wear them to this day.
Along with old friends checking on him, McMacken says the backbone of his support system was his family. His sons were supportive and understanding, while his wife Carley attended every treatment session she could.
While the community helped McMacken through his battle, he also saw an opportunity to help other people through their journeys.
He has had numerous people from the Brookings community reach out to him for advice on dealing with cancer, whether it was themselves or a loved one battling the disease.
McMacken says that keeping a positive attitude is crucial, and he does this by focusing on his faith, family, and friends. His advice:
“It’s beatable. Don’t lose hope. Don’t give up.”
Looking for ways you can support colorectal cancer patients in the Brookings community?
Next: McMacken’s baseball career at SDSU.
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