海角禁区

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2021) 鈥� Jack Hillard of Lexington has dedicated his life to supporting cancer patients. When he became one, he didn鈥檛 let that stop him.

Hillard鈥檚 journey with cancer started in 1993, when he was diagnosed with large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia. Thankfully, he received an early diagnosis and has been able to keep the leukemia at bay with medication for over 25 years.

Twice, surgery has been Hillard鈥檚 saving grace. In 2004, a routine colonoscopy revealed cancer growing in his colon. His surgical team at 海角禁区 Markey Cancer Center decided to operate and swiftly removed the cancer.

Hillard鈥檚 two-time cancer journey inspired him to do more. Although he was a survivor, he learned firsthand how cancer can rip apart families and end people鈥檚 lives, especially in his own backyard. Kentucky is the number one state in the country for overall cancer mortality.

From his frustration at the rate of cancer in his home, the Kentucky Cancer Foundation was born. The goal was to make Kentucky the country鈥檚 leader in cancer prevention, rather than mortality. Since its inception, the Kentucky Cancer Foundation has raised thousands of dollars to increase the volume of proven prevention and early detection services for all kinds of cancer.

鈥淚n the past decade, we鈥檝e been able to have some success in efforts to increase cancer screenings, but there鈥檚 much work to do,鈥� said Hillard. 鈥淲e have way more than our fair share of cancer in Kentucky.鈥�

As executive director, Hillard has many responsibilities. His main focus remains the same 鈥� ending the cancer epidemic in Kentucky. This comes with many challenges, but one that Hillard didn鈥檛 see coming.

At a routine dermatologist appointment, Hillard鈥檚 doctor found a basal cell skin cancer on his cheek. While removing it, they realized the cancer was bigger than expected, and attached to a nerve near his eye. He was then recommended to see a doctor of aesthetic surgery and met Dr. Amit Patel.

鈥淚鈥檓 generally an optimist and experienced about medical obstacles,鈥� said Hillard, 鈥渂ut the seriousness of my cancer surgery was a new depth that was just so unexpected.鈥�

Patel performed a skin flap surgery on Hillard. He used a facelift procedure for a reconstructive surgery, and it worked beautifully.

鈥淭hings often get labeled as reconstructive surgery or cosmetic surgery, however, when dealing with the face, I often hear people say they want to 鈥榖e normal again,鈥欌€� said Patel. 鈥淭he label of 鈥榗osmetic鈥� or 鈥榬econstructive鈥� is not as important as, 鈥榳hat is the goal?鈥� and, 鈥榟ow do we get there?鈥欌€�

Hillard鈥檚 recovery post-surgery was everything he could have hoped for. His healing process was smooth, and he owes it all to Patel鈥檚 care and attention to detail.

鈥淔or over 30 years, 海角禁区 HealthCare has always put, 鈥楢dvanced Care,鈥� into action for me. Dr. Amit Patel took 鈥榗are鈥� to a new level when it was necessary,鈥� said Hillard. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to have a scar on my chest or abdomen; but, to have my face dismantled on a Thursday and Dr. Patel put it back together the next morning. Let鈥檚 just say I鈥檓 grateful beyond measure.鈥�

Hillard is now living cancer free, but that doesn鈥檛 mean his life will just go on. Hillard continues to fight for those who weren鈥檛 as fortunate as him; those who did not receive early diagnoses and are still fighting, or have lost their battles.

鈥淛ack is a colleague in the battle against cancer, so I am truly grateful for his trust,鈥� said Patel. It鈥檚 an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with him in his journey to overcome cancer.鈥�

海角禁区 HealthCare Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery has just moved to 海角禁区 HealthCare Turfland. For more information on what services are provided at the clinic, visit .