Cancer Covered

Cancer, War and a Century of Life: Vaughn Collicott’s Story (Part 2)

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In this truly special Part 2 episode, we’re honored to continue our conversation with Vaughn Collicott, a 101-year-old World War II Navy veteran and cancer survivor. Having shared the remarkable first half of his life in our previous episode—from growing up in a covered wagon to navigating the London Blitz and the D-Day invasion—Vaughn now shifts his focus. Today, he delves into another significant battle he’s faced with the same steadfast spirit: his journey with multiple cancer diagnoses. He shares his incredible story of resilience, service, and courage with host Steve Slocum, Dr. Tony Jaslowski, and his granddaughter Gidget Peerenboom. 

“I tell live as good as the clean life as you can. Don’t smoke, don’t drink. And have professional people for your eyes and your body have the best doctors that you can get.” – Vaughn Collicott 

In this Part 2 episode of Cancer Covered, you’ll learn: 

  • Vaughn’s Battle with Cancer: Vaughn recounts his multiple cancer diagnoses, including prostate cancer in 2001, which required 39 radiation treatments for a successful cure, and bladder cancer, treated with two rounds of BCG. He shares the challenges and perseverance through these treatments. 
    • Resilience in the Face of Adversity: The episode highlights Vaughn’s enduring spirit, exemplified by his ability to overcome significant health challenges, including a burst appendix in his seventies where he still managed to drive himself to the hospital initially. 
      • Reflections on D-Day’s 80th Anniversary: Vaughn shares his emotional return to Utah Beach for the D-Day 80th anniversary, where he revisited the site where the USS Meredith was sunk and reflected on the countless lives saved by disabling the German bunker. 
        • Life Advice from a Centenarian: Vaughn imparts wisdom on living a “clean life,” avoiding smoking and drinking, and seeking the best professional medical care for one’s body. 
          • An Unexpected Celebrity Encounter: Vaughn details his experiences at the D-Day anniversary, including meeting President Biden, Nancy Pelosi, a four-star admiral, and even Steven Spielberg, with whom he and his granddaughter, Gidget, got a picture. 
            • Continued Adventures: Despite his age, Vaughn continues to travel, including trips to the Dallas Cowboys stadium, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, and participation as a grand marshal in the National Memorial Day parade in Washington D.C., all facilitated by American Airlines’ special program for veterans. 
              • Facing New Challenges: The episode concludes with Vaughn revealing his recent lung cancer diagnosis, which he plans to tackle with the same proactive and resilient attitude he has demonstrated throughout his extraordinary life. 

                • We’ve Got Cancer…Covered.

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