Robin

In 1980, as a teenager, Robin faced a diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. At just 17 years old, she underwent surgery and treatment that saved her leg but drastically altered the future she had envisioned as a promising collegiate athlete. For most, overcoming one life-threatening illness would be enough for a lifetime, but three decades later, Robin faced an even more devastating blow: a second rare cancer diagnosis. This time, the treatment required the amputation of her right leg above the knee.

Robin recalls the moment she told her 14-year-old son, Isaac, about the situation. With the wisdom and clarity of someone far beyond his years, he looked her in the eye and said, “Mom, amputate your leg. That is the best chance you have to see me grow up.” Those words became her anchor, her purpose. Within three weeks of her diagnosis, Robin assembled a dedicated team of professionals, including Joe Sullivan from Powell Prosthetics and David Lawrence from The Gait Center. Together, they laid the foundation for her recovery, offering not only expert guidance but also the emotional support she needed to face this life-altering challenge.

Robin’s athletic background instilled in her a work ethic and discipline that became invaluable during her rehabilitation. She set clear goals—learning to walk, run, swim, ride a bike, and simply navigate a world that is anything but flat. Her journey wasn’t without its struggles, but Robin leaned into the process, trusting her team and herself to make progress, one step at a time. Along the way, she discovered that healing isn’t just physical; it’s emotional and deeply personal.

Through her determination, Robin has achieved extraordinary milestones. She holds two world indoor para-rowing records for single-leg above-knee amputees, has walked Virginia’s 51.7-mile Capital Trail three times, and individually raised over $63,000 for The Hawthorne Cancer Foundation. She has hiked the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, explored Costa Rica’s rainforests, and zip-lined across canopies.

But perhaps her proudest achievement, beyond raising a wonderful son, happened five years after her first cancer diagnosis and her graduation from East Carolina University—when she served two years as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Jamaica (1985–1987), working on a literacy project. It was during this time that she learned some of life’s most valuable lessons about the grace and dignity of giving and receiving and the resilience of the human spirit.

Robin’s story is deeply intertwined with her son Isaac’s journey. Inspired by the compassion and skill of the prosthetists and therapists who supported their family, Isaac pursued a career in prosthetics and orthotics. Now a board-certified prosthetist and orthotist, he carries forward the legacy of care, hope, and expertise that once shaped his mother’s recovery. “Seeing Isaac follow this path has been the ultimate silver lining,” Robin says. “It’s humbling and a testament to the power of the people who came into our lives when we needed them most.”

Her impact has been widely recognized. In 2021, she was the National Employee recipient of HCA Healthcare’s prestigious Frist Humanitarian Award, named in honor of HCA Healthcare co-founder Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. Most recently, she was inducted into the Colonial Heights High School Class of 2024 Hall of Fame as the Distinguished Female Alumna.

Robin’s journey is one of courage, community, and an unwavering commitment to living a meaningful life. She emphasizes that “Cancer and amputation are things that happened to her, but they do not define her. Who she is at her core is a humanitarian.” She continues to inspire others through her work as an Oncology Social Worker at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute, where she has served for over 34 years, and as the co-founder of The Hawthorne Cancer Foundation Resource Center, which provides financial and emotional support to central Virginia cancer patients.

She also serves as Director of Patient Reintegration on the Mission Gait board and is the visionary behind Discover Your Possible, an empowering clinic that helps lower extremity amputees regain confidence and independence.

When asked what she’s learned through it all, Robin reflects on the importance of patience, resilience, and support. “Life is messy and hard, and some things are just too big to take on alone. But with the right team, a willingness to try, and the courage to celebrate even the smallest victories, you can overcome so much more than you think. And when you do, you realize that who you are hasn’t changed—it’s just grown stronger.”

Robin continues to inspire others, proving that even in the face of immense adversity, possibilities are endless.

Check out these links for more incredible coverage of Robin and her accolades:

Raising Awareness One Step at a Time

First cancer took her leg. Then she broke a world record.

Sports diplomacy cooperative agreement empowers people with disabilities in Turkmenistan

In 1980, as a teenager, Robin faced a diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. At just 17 years old, she underwent surgery and treatment that saved her leg but drastically altered the future she had envisioned as a promising collegiate athlete. For most, overcoming one life-threatening illness would be enough for a lifetime, but three decades later, Robin faced an even more devastating blow: a second rare cancer diagnosis. This time, the treatment required the amputation of her right leg above the knee.

Robin recalls the moment she told her 14-year-old son, Isaac, about the situation. With the wisdom and clarity of someone far beyond his years, he looked her in the eye and said, “Mom, amputate your leg. That is the best chance you have to see me grow up.” Those words became her anchor, her purpose. Within three weeks of her diagnosis, Robin assembled a dedicated team of professionals, including Joe Sullivan from Powell Prosthetics and David Lawrence from The Gait Center. Together, they laid the foundation for her recovery, offering not only expert guidance but also the emotional support she needed to face this life-altering challenge.

Robin’s athletic background instilled in her a work ethic and discipline that became invaluable during her rehabilitation. She set clear goals—learning to walk, run, swim, ride a bike, and simply navigate a world that is anything but flat. Her journey wasn’t without its struggles, but Robin leaned into the process, trusting her team and herself to make progress, one step at a time. Along the way, she discovered that healing isn’t just physical; it’s emotional and deeply personal.

Through her determination, Robin has achieved extraordinary milestones. She holds two world indoor para-rowing records for single-leg above-knee amputees, has walked Virginia’s 51.7-mile Capital Trail three times, and individually raised over $63,000 for The Hawthorne Cancer Foundation. She has hiked the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, explored Costa Rica’s rainforests, and zip-lined across canopies.

But perhaps her proudest achievement, beyond raising a wonderful son, happened five years after her first cancer diagnosis and her graduation from East Carolina University—when she served two years as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Jamaica (1985–1987), working on a literacy project. It was during this time that she learned some of life’s most valuable lessons about the grace and dignity of giving and receiving and the resilience of the human spirit.

Robin’s story is deeply intertwined with her son Isaac’s journey. Inspired by the compassion and skill of the prosthetists and therapists who supported their family, Isaac pursued a career in prosthetics and orthotics. Now a board-certified prosthetist and orthotist, he carries forward the legacy of care, hope, and expertise that once shaped his mother’s recovery. “Seeing Isaac follow this path has been the ultimate silver lining,” Robin says. “It’s humbling and a testament to the power of the people who came into our lives when we needed them most.”

Her impact has been widely recognized. In 2021, she was the National Employee recipient of HCA Healthcare’s prestigious Frist Humanitarian Award, named in honor of HCA Healthcare co-founder Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. Most recently, she was inducted into the Colonial Heights High School Class of 2024 Hall of Fame as the Distinguished Female Alumna.

Robin’s journey is one of courage, community, and an unwavering commitment to living a meaningful life. She emphasizes that “Cancer and amputation are things that happened to her, but they do not define her. Who she is at her core is a humanitarian.” She continues to inspire others through her work as an Oncology Social Worker at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute, where she has served for over 34 years, and as the co-founder of The Hawthorne Cancer Foundation Resource Center, which provides financial and emotional support to central Virginia cancer patients.

She also serves as Director of Patient Reintegration on the Mission Gait board and is the visionary behind Discover Your Possible, an empowering clinic that helps lower extremity amputees regain confidence and independence.

When asked what she’s learned through it all, Robin reflects on the importance of patience, resilience, and support. “Life is messy and hard, and some things are just too big to take on alone. But with the right team, a willingness to try, and the courage to celebrate even the smallest victories, you can overcome so much more than you think. And when you do, you realize that who you are hasn’t changed—it’s just grown stronger.”

Robin continues to inspire others, proving that even in the face of immense adversity, possibilities are endless.

Check out these links for more incredible coverage of Robin and her accolades:

Raising Awareness One Step at a Time

First cancer took her leg. Then she broke a world record.

Sports diplomacy cooperative agreement empowers people with disabilities in Turkmenistan