THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009
NEWS
15
EXERCISE
Cancer survivor supervises 400 person workout twice daily
BY STEPH SCHNEIDER sschneider@kansan.com
Thursday night started like most at Don "Red Dog" Gardner's Dog Days workout. Standing on the field next to Robinson Gym, Gardner greeted the participants for about an hour before the stretching began. He then grabbed his microphone and told people of all ages to get into their spots. "All right, here we go!" Gardner said.
Don Gardner, 70, discovered he had cancer at the end of February, yet he continues to instruct the Dog Days workouts at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Gardner's cancer is in remission after undergoing his final radiation treatment about a week ago.
"I wore a sport coat and tie to my last radiation," Gardner said.
Although there are tests and more appointments to come, Gardner said he is happy his radiation is finished.
After his last treatment, Gardner expressed concern to Klish, his physician, about what would happen if the radiation did not work. Klish assured him that it would.
"Everyone thinks, 'This can't happen to me,' Gardner said. "And then it does."
Modest about all the attention, Gardner said he appreciated the cards and affection he received.
Liz Beisner, Lawrence senior and Dog Days participant, said the mood at Dog Days became somber when word got out about Gardner's cancer.
"It was discouraging for the group," said Beisner. "He's the glue that holds everyone together."
Gardner's wife, Beverly, said it was hard at times to always be upbeat and cheerful with their Dog Days "extended family."
"But, it's important to stay positive." Beverly said.
For five years, Adam Petz, 17, Lawrence, has attended the workouts because of Gardner's dedication and effort.
Since his diagnosis, Gardner has only missed two Dog Days workouts. Gardner said the workouts were addicting, so it was hard to miss one.
"We all really appreciate it," Petz said. "I come because of Red Dog."
"Getting up isn't the hard part," Gardner said. "I am a busy guy and I enjoy it."
Gardner's schedule typically consists of going to the 6 a.m. workout, then having coffee with Dog Days participants, followed by going to a doctor's appointment around 8 a.m.
Remaining optimistic about the situation, Gardner focused on the hospital food.
"The cook at the hospital is great," Gardner said. "I go there even when I don't need to be there because of the food."
Gardner tries to greet almost every person who attends Dog Days, around 400 to 500 people each session. But one day, Gardner said he couldn't remember a woman's name he had known for years.
"I'd like to blame it on radiation,
Gardner said the hardest part of treatment was being tired and losing his strength. He also said he had memory problems.
LIBERTY HALL accessibility info
944 MASS. 746-1912 (785) 749-1972
Wed June 17 - Thur June 25
EASY VIRTUGE (PG13)
OPENS FRJUNE 14:30 7:00
SAT-SUN 2:20 4:30 7:00
MON-THU 4:30 7:00 9:20
SIN NOMBRE (R)
WED-THU: 4:40 10:9 10:40
FRI-SAT: NO SHOWS
SUN: NO SHOWS
MON-TUE: 4:40 10:9 10:30
WED-TUE: 4:40 NO SHOWS
SUNSHINE CLEANING (R)
WED-THU 9:30 ONLY
MUST CLOSE THU JUN 18!!
SUGAR (R)
WED-THU 4:30 7.00
WED-THU 4:30 7.00
JUN 18!!
CULT/INTERNATIONAL/CLASSIC
For a photo gallery of Red Dog's Dog Days, check out Kansan.com.
but it's just old age now," Gardner said.
Gardner said he used to participate in a run up 14th street but now he has designated himself as the "yeller" and coordinates stretches and cheers of encouragement.
Gardner's support has made an impression on the participants.
"He really has built a community out of Dog Days," Beisner said. "He is irreplaceable."
Edited by Adam Schoof
Ryan McGeeney/KANSAN
Don Gardner, also known as Red Dog, cheers on participants at a Dog Days workout in early June. The community exercise program, which Gardner initiated 26 years ago, takes participants through a series of calisthenic exercises before a short run at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday each week.
Online College Courses BARTONline.org
Having trouble getting your class schedule to work?
Dropped a class?
Need to add a class?
Enroll now!
Most general education courses transfer to Kansas Regent schools.
Enroll and find our schedule online!
www.bartonline.org
Online college courses offered by Barton Community College
the (un)guilty pleasure.
yummy's frozen yogurt has less than half the calories of ice cream, and no fat.
1119 mass. | 785.838.3600 around the corner from "Brothers'