Helping people with cancer, changing their own lives

NORTH CANAAN — One would think a job treating people battling horrendous illnesses would be one to forget about at the end of the day. But it’s not that easy. And “G†Gulotta Finney is not that kind of person.

Ask her how many races and tours and marathons she has walked or biked on behalf of patients and friends and she is vague. It’s not about keeping track of miles. It’s about raising money for medical research. It’s about showing support, honoring those remembered and encouraging those still in the fight, and you just can’t keep score of that.

Gulotta, a North Canaan resident whose volunteer efforts include working on the ambulance corps, administers chemotherapy and dialysis at Connecticut Oncology and Hematology in Torrington. In her 10 years there she has cared for patients from all over the Northwest Corner. Nearly 10 years ago, the self-proclaimed non-athlete began training and walking in every event where she could raise money and awareness, from the Canaan Road Race to marathons in Boston, Dublin and San Diego.

These days, she is on a bicycle and avoiding the horrible blisters she used to get on her feet. Next month, on Aug. 5, she will participate for the third year in the bicycle Tour of the Litchfield Hills.

She said she is “only†doing 12 miles, the shortest route, which originates in Torrington’s Coe Park. Cyclists can chose routes up to 75 miles, walkers up to eight miles. Gulotta noted her oncology office has held the “Mayor’s Cup†for the last three years for raising the most money as a group.

“What matters is that every penny goes to cancer patients in the Northwest Corner.â€

When she first began, Gulotta wore photos of the patients she walked for around her neck. There are too many now, but she doesn’t forget a name or face. There are those who have died, and those who not only continue to be an inspiration, but have recovered and taken up the cause themselves. One is Torrington resident Matt Speck.

Gulotta describes Speck as a “strong, courageous, brave man who went to hell and back again and inspires all of us every day with all he has done and continues to do.â€

They met when Speck’s father was treated for kidney cancer in 1999. The older Speck died a little over a year after being diagnosed, at the age of 56.

“It was like being doused with a cold bucket of water. We were very close,†Speck said.

A year and a half later, at the age of 26, Speck, a Torrington resident, went to the emergency room with swelling in his arm.

“By coincidence, the Litchfield Hills Road Race was going on that day,†he recalled. “It was a really hot day and there were runners brought into the ER with heat stroke. I was sitting in the hall figuring my problem was no big deal. Maybe I had gotten bit by something. I would have to wait.â€

While the ER was jumping, Speck was sent for chest X-rays.

“The next thing I knew, I was admitted. Within an hour, I was told I had stage 4 testicular cancer. In a very short period it had metastasized to my abdomen, my lymph nodes, my lungs, and I had a tumor in my neck. I started chemotherapy two days later.â€

Still haunted by the swiftness and horror of his father’s illness and death, Speck was in shock, but still recalls with absolute clarity everything the doctors said.

“You’re never prepared to hear those words. It was surreal. I kept thinking, ‘I can’t believe they’re talking to me.’ â€

Speck went from 165 to 118 pounds in five weeks. His skin blistered from the inside out. He had stomach surgery, nerve damage and lost his hair. The chemo affected his lungs.

Despite all that, he said one of the scariest times was when the oncologist released him from his care.

“You always wonder if it will come back. Are you cured, or just in remission? The day the doctor clears you, you’re back in your own custody. It’s like closing on a house and the keys are slid across the table. It’s suddenly all up to you.â€

Speck, recently hired as the land use administrator in Litchfield, started walking to help his lungs and get back to a very basic level of fitness. In the winter, he headed for West Farms mall, where he marked his increasing progress by stores and levels. He eventually brought out the bicycle he had not ridden since graduate school.

And he drew on Gulotta’s strength.

“She treated my dad, then me, and she was doing these races and marathons. It’s been five years since she took care of me, and she still calls me. I realized, I wasn’t alone. G really inspired me and for the last few years, I have ridden in and helped organize the tour.â€

Speck said they are expecting about 1,500 people to participate. He will ride 75 miles. Proceeds benefit The Center for Cancer Care Fund. The fund is available to meet a broad range of needs for cancer patients and their families, from education, prevention and treatment to transportation, emergency assistance and case management. The tour is sponsored by Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.

Participants are gathering sponsors, but anyone can help with a tax-deductible donation by sending a check made payable to Tour of the Litchfield Hills, mailed to the Patient Relations Department, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, 540 Litchfield St., Torrington CT 06790.

The fourth annual Tour of the Litchfield Hills will be held Sunday, Aug. 5. Cyclists can register that day or in advance; for information, visit the Web site at tourofthelitchfieldhills.com. Funds raised in the tour will benefit The Center for Cancer Care Fund.