Upcoming hike to benefit young Windham resident stricken with cancer

By Ed Pierce

Windham school bus driver Wayne O’Brien has organized a fun way to get outdoors, stay in shape and to help out a community member and his family who are going through the worst of times.

The first 50 hikers and donors for the 'Hike for Austin' on
Douglas Mountain in Sebago on Saturday, Sept. 6 will
receive a free T-shirt inscribed 'Summit for Austin.' Proceeds
from the hike will assist the Woodbury Family of Windham,
whose son Austin, 18, is undergoing treatment for Stage 3
Mature B-cell Lymphoma. SUBMITTED PHOTO   

“On Saturday, Sept. 6 we are going to have a hike at Douglas Mountain in Sebago about 25 minutes from Windham,” O’Brien said. “All proceeds will go to the family of Austin Woodbury who was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 Lymphoma cancer.”

Woodbury, 18, graduated from Windham High School in June and became ill not long thereafter. His parents, Josh and Rachael Woodbury, took him to a doctor and after a series of tests, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Mature B-cell Lymphoma which was found extensively throughout his abdomen, pancreas, bowel wall, lower right lung, and femur.

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, a part of the body's immune system. It's characterized by the uncontrolled growth of lymphocytes which are a type of white blood cell that help fight infection. Stage 3 Mature B-cell Lymphoma indicates that the cancer is present in lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm and possibly in his spleen.

This type of Stage 3 Mature B-cell Lymphoma is an advanced form of cancer, and treatment for Woodbury was started immediately involving chemotherapy. His oncologist may consider other treatments for Austin based upon his age, overall health, and the specific type and stage of his lymphoma.

Mature B-cell lymphomas are a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and account for about 85 percent of all lymphomas diagnosed in America.

Family members say that Woodbury is undergoing intensive treatment and chemotherapy in the hospital. Both of his parents have been by his side every step of the way in dealing with his illness and missed work, have mounting medical bills for their son’s treatment, and have incurred the additional financial stress of trying to keep things afloat for their family at their home in Windham.

Reading about Woodbury’s Stage 3 lymphoma diagnosis at such a young age in The Windham Eagle newspaper, O’Brien said he needed to find a way to help and came up with the idea of organizing a hike to benefit Woodbury’s family.

He said the hike itself is of easy to moderate difficulty and that location was chosen because anyone who wished to participate could do so.

The first 50 hikers/donors get a free T-shirt inscribed "Summit for Austin."

According to O’Brien, the T-shirt’s lime green color was selected because it is the official color of Lymphoma awareness.

“We want to thank Bob the Screenprinter in Windham for donating the T-shirts,” he said. “We are also grateful to other donors including Tinker Automotive, Chutes Family Restaurant and the Windham Hannaford Supermarket.”

The Douglas Mountain Loop runs 1.8 miles in length and takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes to complete. There is an old stone tower at the summit and hike participants will be able to take in gorgeous views of Sebago Lake, the Presidential Range, and Mount Washington on a clear day.

Same-day registration to participate in the hike will be 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Douglas Mountain Trailhead in Sebago. Someone will also be there earlier than 7 a.m. to get ready for the event, O’Brien said.

“Snacks and water will be provided for hikers,” he said. “You don’t have to hike to make a donation.”

To learn more about the “Hike for Austin” or to submit a donation to assist the Woodbury Family, call O’Brien at 207-615-2433 or send an email to wobrien3006@gmail.com.<