Linda Bradley Dedicated To Cancer Patients

By  //  October 16, 2012

2012 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN

‘If I Had A Hundred Lindas, We Could Cure Cancer In A Year’

When the Space Shuttle Endeavour left Brevard on its final trip a few weeks ago, NASA docent Linda Bradley was busy taking busloads of people to the fly-out.

It was like seeing a good friend leave, since from her Titusville condo overlooking the river, Bradley had watched Endeavour and the other shuttles take off on many occasions.

“I had the best seat in the house,” she said.

Two of Bradley’s passions are the space program and her volunteer efforts on behalf of cancer patients.

Bradley’s career as an engineer at Kennedy Space Center includes an important part of space history. An authentic “Hubble Hugger,” she arrived in Brevard in the C-5 airplane with the Hubble telescope.

“We came into Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the middle of the night,” said Bradley.

She “retired” in 2010, but continues working for NASA, this time as a volunteer who leads special tours, such as the one of the recent Endeavour fly-out.

“I can’t get away from that place, because I know every square inch of it,” she joked. “I didn’t really retire.”

In 2007, Bradley was diagnosed with lymphoma of the tear duct in her eye.

“It’s an incredibly rare form of cancer,” she said. She credits Dr. Richard Levine of Space Coast Cancer Center and Dr. Eduardo Sotomayor from Moffit Cancer Center for her cure.

TWO OF Linda Bradley’s passions are the space program and her volunteer efforts on behalf of cancer patients. Bradley is pictured here with Star Trek original cast member Nichelle Nichols, who played Lieutenant Uhura aboard the USS Enterprise. (Image for Space Coast Medicine & Active Living)

“They saved my life and I’m paying back,” said Bradley, who is an energetic volunteer for a variety of cancer research organizations.

As president of the Space Coast Cancer Foundation, she combined her two passions to raise thousands of dollars selling Space Shuttle teddy bears commemorating Mission STS 135, the last shuttle mission. Each bear was outfitted in an orange jumpsuit with a NASA patch identical to the one the astronauts wore during the mission.

A Leukemia/Lymphoma Foundation volunteer and speaker, Bradley leads a monthly support at Space Coast Cancer Center in Titusville.

In 2011, Bradley was presented with the Priscilla Mack Survivorship Award by Moffit at the Miles for Moffitt event held in Tampa. Her inspiration and advocacy as a cancer survivor earned her the recognition of the annual award, given to a cancer survivor who exhibits outstanding commitment in the fight against cancer by inspiring others who have been diagnosed with cancer.

She has walked across the state in support of victims of breast cancer, at events that range from Making Strides against Breast Cancer to Miles for Moffitt.

In 2011, Bradley was presented with the Priscilla Mack Survivorship Award by Moffit at the Miles for Moffitt event held in Tampa. Her inspiration and advocacy as a cancer survivor earned her the recognition of the annual award, given to a cancer survivor who exhibits outstanding commitment in the fight against cancer by inspiring others who have been diagnosed with cancer.

This year, Bradley was again honored, this time at Melbourne’s Pink Martini Party, where she was praised for her fundraising efforts on behalf of cancer research and for the encouragement and support she provides for patients battling cancer.

For more than a decade, she has been a team leader at Cocoa Village’s Light the Night event, a walk initiated by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to raise money for lifesaving cancer research.

CONSUMMATE FUND RAISER: Linda Bradley, pictured above with Dr. Richard Levine, raised funds for cancer patients by selling Space Shuttle Teddy Bears commemorating Mission STS 135. (Image for Space Coast Medicine & Active Living)

Whatever the event planned by Space Coast Cancer Foundation, Bradley is usually there, pitching in with all systems go. “Cancer has no mercy,” said Bradley. “I can never do enough to help out.”

To Dr. Eduardo Sotomayor, chair of the department of malignant hematology at Moffit Cancer Center, Bradley is a hero. “As soon as she recovered from treatment, she asked to help in any way she could,” said Sotomayor.

“As captain of our Blood Thinners team in the Miles for Moffit walk, she raises about 60 percent of the money, which goes to cancer research. She encourages patients to seek treatment at Moffit. I would love to clone Linda. If we had a hundred Lindas, we could cure cancer in a year.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE 2012 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIANS

ABOUT THE 2012 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS

The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their Time, Talent or Treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world. 

This year, more than 40 deserving humanitarians will be honored during the Gala, which will be held Thursday, Nov. 8 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, with the festivities beginning at 6 p.m.

“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Maverick Multimedia Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.

All Humanitarian alumni are presented a specially commissioned medallion.

“We remain firmly committed to identifying and telling those stories and providing a timely media platform to recognize Space Coast and Central Florida residents’ altruistic contributions on a regular basis in our magazines, as well as SpaceCoastDaily.com,” said Dr. Palermo.

This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by Brighthouse Networks, Health First, Brevard Physicians Network, MPAC ACO, Community Credit Union, Kindred Hospital, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, Florida Pain, Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine, CentralFloridaMedicine.com and SpaceCoastDaily.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION or to make a reservation to attend the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala call 321-615-8111 or e-mail SpaceCoastMedicine@gmail.com.

3 Comments

  1. Congratulations to Linda! On behalf of the Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation we are proud to recognize how Linda’s volunteer work has helped so many who are struggling with the difficulties of Cancer. As a cancer survivor herself, she has dedicated her time and love to help others through this journey. Linda is an inspiration to everyone she meets and we are all thankful she has devoted her life to such an important cause!

  2. They couldn’t have said it better when they said “If I had a 100 Linda’s, I could cure cancer in a year”. Linda is one in a million, giving back in so many ways. My coworker became one of my dearest friends, and I am blessed, as many are, to have her in my life. Congratulations on such a wonderful and deserving award. You put the “Human” in “Humanitarian”….love you dear friend.

  3. To a wonderful friend- I’ve been trying to catch up with you and found this article….Congratulations…….and Blessings, James

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*