Since early 2006, horsewoman Robin Merriman has taken on the challenge of a lifetime — beating two forms of cancer.
Now, Pompano Park has joined her fight, and the fight of many others, by working to raise money and awareness for Gilda's Club South Florida, an organization dedicated to supporting cancer survivors and their families.
On February 14, 2009, starting at 7:25 p.m., Pompano Park will feature two "women drivers only" races which are part of the Mildred Williams International Driving Series. During the Series, participating drivers travel throughout the United States and Canada raising money for a local charity.
The drivers, and Pompano Park, chose Gilda's Club as the charity of choice for the races. The group's goal is to raise at least $2,500. If an individual community member or business are interested in making a donation or becoming a sponsor of the event, they care asked to contact call Debbie Schaut at 954-633-6529. All proceeds will benefit Gilda's Club.
"Pompano Park is dedicated to going above and beyond just providing a great entertainment destination for horse racing fans and our casino guests," said Michael Bloom, vice president and general manager. "For the past 45 years Pompano Park has been working to make a significant impact on the communities that we serve through a variety of charitable donations and active fundraising efforts."
"We are pleased to partner with Isle for this event," said Kim Laffont, development director for Gilda's Club South Florida. "Donations will help us continue to provide free emotional and social support services to families living with cancer."
A survivor of both cervical and rectal cancer, Pompano Park stable owner Robin Merriman will be an active volunteer during the Valentine's Day fundraising event.
"I am a survivor," said Merriman. "I have beaten the odds, twice."
Robin's Story
A native of Northville, MI, Robin was raised in a family whose business was harness racing. She grew up playing in the stables and as she got older, her father taught her to groom horses and other aspects of the racing business. She met her husband, Terry, at a Michigan horse track, and in 2003, they moved to Florida and opened their racing stable at Pompano Park.
The move allowed Robin to live closer to her father and stepmother, who had moved their own stable to Pompano Beach from Michigan. Little did they know how much the extra family support would be needed over the next few years.
In February 2006, Merriman was diagnosed with cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers to affect a woman's reproductive organs. After going to her doctor for her annual check-up, Robin received information that one of her tests had come back abnormal and her doctor deemed it necessary to see a specialist immediately. Even without running a complete set of tests her doctor knew that she had cervical cancer.
"I just started crying," Robin remembers. "I asked the doctor if I was going to die, and he told me that everyone dies, but he didn't think I had anything to worry about because he felt that they found everything in time."
Only weeks later, Robin had surgery and the doctors were able to remove all of the cancer. She recovered and returned to work in the stables. Life was back to normal — or so she thought.
Just a few months later, Robin started to experience abdominal pain. She suffered for several months before deciding to see her doctor again. On December 4, 2006, Robin's test results showed that she had rectal cancer.
"I was really scared this time," she said. "It was like déjà vu all over again."
Time was of the essence. The test showed that the cancer was the size of an egg. Again, it was determined that she needed surgery, but this time the surgery would come only after a series of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, five days a week, for six weeks. The surgery would then be followed by another 12 weeks of twice-weekly chemotherapy.
During her treatments Robin was in and out of the hospital 15 to 20 times because of the side effects. The chemotherapy caused dehydration, leg cramps; her white blood count would get so low that she would have to have blood transfusions.
"There were days I just didn't think I could go on. There were times I thought I would die and I just wanted to die."
Because of the side effects Robin experienced interruptions in the chemo treatments. But finally, in August 2007, Robin received her last and final treatment of chemotherapy, and in December 2007, she received news that her blood count was good. With everything being normal, she would just have to return every three months for follow-ups.
Eventually Robin was able to return to work at the stables, but it wasn't easy. She had to start out slow and take her time and build her strength back. Today, she's back mucking out stalls, grooming horses and on live race nights, you may find her in the winner's circle with her favourite trotting horse, Table Wine.
Asked what she has learned from this life threatening disease, she answered with tears in her eyes, "Look at life everyday as a new day. Don't worry about the everyday little things. Even though you may want to give up, don't."
Pompano Park's Commitment to the Fight Against Cancer
Since 2006, Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park's generous horsemen, sponsors and guests have raised more than $23,000 for the American Cancer Society of Broward County during "Think Pink" nights at the track. This event is done in October to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
(Pompano Park)