Two-time cancer survivor bikes for a cure
Published: May 8, 2008
Stratham locals who casually know Scott Joy are surprised to see him pedaling around the neighborhood on a touring bicycle and stunned when they discover he’s training for a 100-mile road race. They’re more accustomed to seeing Joy’s thin frame and bespectacled face on stage singing or acting in community theater.
“It’s a shock to some people. Most think of me as the singing, dancing type. They’re usually surprised to find me doing anything physical,” said Joy with a chuckle.
They’re also surprised because Joy is a two-time cancer survivor.
Joy was originally diagnosed with testicular cancer in June 2003 and then again in 2005, but he has since gone on to make a full recovery.
In addition to teaching musical theater to children at Stratham Community Church, he now rides each year in the LIVESTRONG challenge and has raised more than $49,000 for cancer research.
After he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, Joy underwent surgery in 2003 and again in 2005 when doctors discovered his cancer had made a recurrence.
Through it all, Joy said his biggest concern was not whether he would recover, but how his wife and four children would handle his illness.
“I remember being in the hospital and just asking for strength for my family, to get them through this,” he said.
It was shortly after his first diagnosis when Joy became involved with youth theater at Stratham Community Church. Joy said his love of music began with church choirs and musicals at the age of 4.
“I wanted the opportunity to give my children and others the same experiences I had growing up,” he said.
Parents and congregation members credit Joy with having a profound effect on the community during his four years of work at the church.
“Watching him interact with these young people is amazing. All the children really look up to him,” said Patricia Graham, who has known Joy through church for the past 10 years.
Bob Butcher’s son Matthew performed in the church’s latest musical on Sunday. Butcher said he’s seen his son change after working with Joy.
“He’s much more confident on stage and with himself now,” said Butcher “Part of that is because of Scott.”
“(Joy) makes music fun. He’s serious because there’s a show to perform, but he also knows how to have fun,” added Matthew.
Joy’s diagnosis was also what inspired him to begin long-distance biking. Although his only experience with bicycling was with short trips around the neighborhood, Joy said he felt an obligation to help others with cancer.
He started out slow, building up his endurance with short rides around town. Now he rides a 100-mile race each year for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and is one of the foundation’s top fund-raisers. Last year, Joy received the messenger award from the LIVESTRONG foundation for having the most individual donors. In 2006, Joy was given the chance to ride alongside Armstrong.
Joy said he’s grateful for everything that’s happened after his diagnosis. He also has a message he wants to tell others fighting cancer.
“You can’t let it go, but don’t let it rule your life,” he said. “Life can be better than it was before.”
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