Gwendolyn Randall, 52, clinical research coordinator at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, died January 2 following a lengthy battle with her seventh diagnosis of breast cancer.
Colleagues at Siteman were stunned by the passing.
“She was so strong and bounced back so many times that I think everyone hoped she would bounce back one more time,” says Antonella Rastelli, MD, an instructor in medicine in the division of medical oncology at Siteman. “It’s devastating.”
Randall was first diagnosed with breast cancer February 24, 1995. Over the next 12 years, cancer kept recurring despite mastectomies and untold treatments of radiation and chemotherapy.
During her fight, she decided to take her experience and use it to help others.
Randall resigned from her position at AT&T in 2001 to join Siteman as a clinical trials coordinator. She volunteered for the American Cancer Society, AMC Cancer Research, the Siteman Witness Project and the Wellness Community of St. Louis.
Her efforts earned recognition from the St. Louis Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She won their “You Make a Difference Award” for her efforts in spreading the word about early screening and Komen decided to name the award after her.
“Gwen embodied the spirit of a survivor and the courage that one person could make a difference,” says Martha Martin, past president of the Komen affiliate who helped name the award after Randall. “She was an incredibly strong person.”
Randall inspired others by her willingness to share her story – frequently taking her message to the news media to raise awareness about breast cancer.
She is survived by her son, Geoffrey Ross Randall of University City; her mother, Bennie G. Randall of University City; two sisters, Brenda Brown of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Pamela Randall of Chicago, Illinois.
Memorial contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, Texas, 75244.