Veterans Day Celebration at Moffitt Cancer Center - 2018
Floyd Cook spent 20 years traveling the world working reconnaissance missions in the United States Air Force. But the biggest battle of his life was fought at Moffitt Cancer Center.
Five years ago, Cook started feeling extremely exhausted. When the fatigue forced him to stop playing basketball, he went to the doctor and was eventually diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
He spent years undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but it was CAR T therapy, or chimeric antigen receptor therapy, that sent him into remission in the summer of 2018. Yet, something still didn’t feel quite right and shortly thereafter, doctors diagnosed him with lung cancer.
Just weeks after undergoing surgery, Cook is Moffitt’s guest of honor at the cancer center’s third annual Veterans Day celebration. “It’s an honor to be given this opportunity to celebrate my military career and my journey with cancer,” Cook says.
Jessica Schwarzkopf, breast cancer survivor and daughter of the late Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, will present Cook with a plaque recognizing him for his service to our country. Like his daughter, Gen. Schwarzkopf beat cancer and was an advocate for early screening.
Cook says receiving the honor from Schwarzkopf means a lot because he served under the general at U.S. Central Command and admired him.
As for Cook, he is now in remission for the lung cancer. He will return to Moffitt every six months for the next two years for follow up visits and routine screenings.
In addition to honoring Cook, the tribute includes a special patriotic performance by the Moffitt chorale. Gaither High School’s Junior ROTC Color Guard will also present the colors and raise the flag.
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