U.S. Olympic figure skating gold medalist Scott Hamilton poses with Laura Viscome Clark, an elementary school teacher in Lake Placid, on Saturday, Feb. 18 at The Bookstore Plus. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

About 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetimes, and currently, about 17 million are living with cancer. U.S. Olympic figure skating gold medalist Scott Hamilton has been one, and he’s turned that experience into a giving back campaign.

Cancer profoundly impacts the person diagnosed along with their family and close friends. It is life-changing, and, in some ways, for the good as many learn they are far stronger than they had previously realized. Not that any person living with cancer would wish it on any other person, but for many, it has helped them realize just how precious life and good relationships are.

For Hamilton, the experience of losing his mother to cancer and being so diagnosed led him to establish a foundation with twin goals: funding innovative cancer research and generating support for community oncology services such as the Adirondack Health Merrill Oncology Center’s Travel Fund.

On Saturday, Feb. 18, Hamilton participated in two fundraising activities in Lake Placid: a noon book-signing event at The Bookstore Plus, and a skating benefit titled Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer, held at the Olympic Speedskating Oval that generated slightly over $26,000 that will be split between the hospital and Hamilton’s CARES Foundation.

Hamilton, who also won four consecutive U.S. and World Championships and launched Skate America and then Stars on Ice in Lake Placid, and he established the foundation in 2014. One of the purposes of its signature program Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer is teaching skaters how to become philanthropists by using their skating skills to fundraise and address issues bigger than themselves, which includes demonstrating they have power in the fight against cancer.

People participate in the Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Olympic Speedskating Oval in Lake Placid. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

Kim Volante, coordinator of the CARES Foundation, said that one of Hamilton’s best knows quotes is, “The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” She said, “Scott has been through so much in his life; a childhood illness, he was adopted, lost his mother to cancer, had cancer, and he never used any of it as an excuse. Instead, he’s used it as fuel to make himself and the world better.”

At the bookstore, Hamilton was selling and signing three books he authored, “Finish First,” “The Great Eight” and “Fritzy Finds a Hat: A Gentle Tale to Help Talk with Children About Cancer.”

Hamilton said the children’s book came from a collaboration with Mary Coffeen, director of donor relations at the Moffit Cancer Center. Coffeen sought his advice for an activity that could benefit their child development program. The book, illustrated by Brad Paisley and Bill Kersey, was the result.

“It was a fun process and a great collaboration,” said Hamilton. “It’s based on how my mom told us she had cancer. The best way I’ve heard to describe it is it’s a soft place to land. The book helped parents talk to their kids about cancer, a tough subject. Nothing could get my mother through cancer, but her strength, spirit and humor taught me how to go through mine. I was lucky that there was a treatment for my cancer through research.”

“We have a cousin diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Kathy Largmann, standing in line at The Bookstore Plus. “She has three young girls, ages 8, 5, and 1, so we came to purchase some books from Scott. We have family members who support the family and try to make sure the girls’ lives are as normal as possible.”

From left, cancer survivor Kat Oropallo, Adirondack Health Chief Human Resources Officer Melanie Sleime and state Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt pose during the Sk8 to Elimin8 fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Olympic Speedskating Oval. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

“We’re just trying to help the kids, so we came to pick up his children’s book,” said Kathy’s husband, Troy, both from Hazlet, New Jersey.

Also standing in line was Lake Placid Elementary School teacher Laura Viscome Clark, holding a Scott Hamilton Avenue sign that her son found and she wanted to be autographed along with a book. Another was former bookstore co-owner Nancy Beattie, who, like Clark, praised Hamilton’s character, positive attitude and talents that they both have witnessed for years on the arena’s ice sheets. Both knew many people living with cancer and were purchasing his books to support Hamilton’s efforts to fight cancer.

With so many resources going to address COVID-19 and other significant concerns, Hamilton said they are now raising about $1.6 million a year through these events, which is down from the past, but he believes it will pick up. An added challenge is that early detection rates are down because of the difficulties created by the pandemic, the mental health crisis and others. Thus, the need to raise money is even greater in many respects.

“There is an awaking that comes with a cancer diagnosis, an awaking to a part of you that you didn’t know exists,” said Hamilton. “You discover in yourself someone stronger than you ever imagined you can be. I tell people you know you’ve survived cancer when you get mad in traffic because you are starting to sweat the small stuff.”

“This fundraiser is vital to the hospital,” said Andy Cappiello, Adirondack Health’s IT application manager. “It helps support the Merrill Oncology Travel Fund, which helps cover the travel costs for people who need treatment elsewhere and can’t afford the expense. Reading the letters from people who have benefited from this makes you know that you will come out and help as much as possible.”

U.S. Olympic figure skating gold medalist Scott Hamilton poses with Kathy and Troy Largmann on Saturday, Feb. 18 at The Bookstore Plus. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

At 4 p.m., state Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt welcomed the large crowd of skaters and volunteers to the oval and shared historic highlights of the venue. Pratt thanked everyone for supporting cancer research and the Adirondack Health oncology program. He then handed the mic to Hamilton.

“I love this town!” shouted out Hamilton. “I spent so much time here and participated in my first competition in the ’32 Arena and won my first international medal here. There is no greater place to come together to celebrate skating, winter, and life than Lake Placid, New York.”

Hamilton thanked everyone for coming, for their generosity and efforts to make a difference in the fight against cancer. He shared his cancer experience, highlighted the need for research, and the accomplishments to date. Before heading to skate, he introduced Melanie Sleime, Adirondack Health’s chief human resources officer, a six-year cancer survivor who echoed Hamilton’s welcome and thanked the volunteers. Sleime then introduced Kat Oropallo.

“I am very honored and glad to welcome you here today,” said Oropallo. “On April 13, it will be two years that I’ve been fighting stage four breast cancer in the bone. I’m a miracle. They gave me six months. Without the travel support to Boston that you are allowing someone like me to have, I couldn’t have gone and survived. You might not think your donations go that far, but they do. I’m a survivor and here because you helped me. You allowed me to go to Boston for treatment once a week for eight weeks.”

(Naj Wikoff lives in Keene Valley. He has been covering events for the News for more than 15 years.)

Nancy Beattie, left, poses with her daughter Sarah Galvin, co-owner of The Bookstore Plus in Lake Placid. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)