Cancer can’t stop William Garon ’83

Being in charge of a musical production takes a lot of dedication and hard work. Not to mention the long hours for rehearsals and making sure every aspect is coordinated to perfection. But it’s something that BGSU alumnus William Newnham ’83, who goes by his stage name, Willam Garon, has dedicated his life to, even after he was diagnosed with brain cancer and given only months to live.

“Cancer is not who I am. Cancer is a tiny part of who I am.” Garon said.

It’s that kind of attitude that has amazed Garon’s doctors about his battle with the disease and the success he’s had with his treatments.

“I see so many people who have obviously given up. They cannot bear the weight of their diagnosis and hide from the world,” Garon said. “I am exactly the opposite. I tell everyone about it. I am not ashamed of it. I want people to know that it’s not something to be scared of. It’s just something that is.”

Garon graduated from BGSU in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. He was the drum major for the Falcon Marching Band, participated in numerous musical groups and performed in several stage productions.

“One of my fondest memories was the great camaraderie that music majors had – going from practice room to practice room visiting each other to help wipe out the bleary brain of a six hour practice session!” he said.

After graduating, Garon went on to perform with symphony orchestras, in theme parks, on cruise ships, and in countless musical stage productions around the world. Performances that have thus far taken him to 42 countries. Today, he continues his dedication to music not only by performing, but also by teaching, mentoring and coaching students of all ages. Some have even made it to Broadway.

“These students are my legacy. A part of me will live on in all of them, and for that I could not be more proud,” he said.

Garon is also assembling a high school production of “Shrek” in his Florida community while at the same time performing in a re-creation of Liberace’s Stage Show with Martin Preston. That show, which Garon co-created, has run for 23 years and has had 4,500 performances around the world. Garon does all of this, while undergoing his cancer treatments.

“You have to handle your treatments like a job. You have to get yourself up and ready for them and go in and give it your all,” he said.

Garon has been diagnosed with cancer three times. The first time was in 1998, the second in 2012 and the most recent was February 2013. That’s when he found out that the cancer in his cranium grew back 90 percent and spread, making it inoperable.

“My doctors said the diagnosis was terminal. I have been alive for one year and three months since my initial diagnosis, and I’m doing exceptionally well,” he said. “I cannot be cured, but so far we are continuing to keep it at bay and I remain very positive and active.”

When Garon says active, that’s putting it mildly. His typical week consists of a lot of travel, teaching, and rehearsals along with his treatments. He doesn’t let anything stand in his way of continuing to do what he loves.

“Each and every one of my doctors and nurses credits my positive outlook for my success with my treatments and longevity, even with a very poor diagnosis,” he said.

Garon receives his treatments from Florida Cancer Specialists, an affiliate of Morton Plant Mease Hospitals. Recently, his oncologist asked if he would participate in a video to help promote the cancer center. The specialists told him that they want other patients to see how they too, can live life to its fullest even after a terminal diagnosis.

“I am vibrant and full of life and I want to show them that when your hair falls out you put on a hat or wear a wig, or when the medication gives you some unfortunate side effect, you laugh about it. When the steroids make you bloated and fat, you wear bigger pants. You don’t fade away and withdraw. You shout from the rooftops, ‘I have cancer and this is what cancer looks like,’” he said.

When asked what’s next for him, Garon said,

“What’s next for me is what was last for me. I keep doing what I do because this is what I do. There is no cure for what I have. What’s next for me is tomorrow. It’s the only way to live your life.”