Diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer at age 72, Scott Baird remembers being worried he would not survive. He is the first to admit he had not given much thought to his health before then. "The cancer made me realize I had to make some changes," Scott said.
Scott's first goal was to beat the cancer. He turned to St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea where he underwent hormone therapy, a laser surgery procedure called Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP), and 42 radiation therapy treatments.
At his final radiation treatment, Scott felt at a crossroads. "I remember feeling excited, but also scared, and thinking, 'Now what? I had learned I was pre-diabetic and had previously had a silent heart attack. I knew I had to gain control of my health."
Scott found answers in St. Joe Chelsea's Diabetes Prevention Program as well as deciding on his own to change to a plant-based diet. The results were life-changing – Scott initially lost 40 pounds and his A1C dropped significantly. "An unexpected bonus of the program was taking the opportunity to help others," he recalled.
Janine Staudinger, RN, Community Health Instructor, Diabetes Education, shared, "He [Scott] really encouraged and empowered his fellow participants, and it's that type of mutual understanding, positive energy and comradery that make it [the program] so successful."
"I knew I needed to do more," Scott explained. "I realized how much my ADHD and anxiety had contributed to habits that caused my weight gain, cancer, pre-diabetes and heart issues." Scott decided to turn to St. Joe's Chelsea again and has since benefitted from our Behavioral Health Services.
Throughout his journey, giving back became a guiding light for Scott, and he and his wife, Janice, have now given at significant levels for cancer care, Diabetes Prevention and Behavioral Health at St. Joe's Chelsea.
Today, Scott shares, "I'm excited about my future." And, he adds, "I know my gifts to St. Joe's Chelsea are making a difference for patients in our community and giving back has been a key part of my healing journey."
For more information contact Jennifer Maisch at Jennifer.Maisch@stjoeshealth.org or Melissa Sheppard at Melissa.Sheppard@stjoeshealth.org