32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com FACE TO FACE Monterey author and leadership coach Glodean Champion has a new book. Titled It’s All About You / It Ain’t About You, the book is an unexpectedly fun read, heavily illustrated by local artist Paul Richmond. Its purpose is to teach, uplift, support, guide and provide a little tough love so that you are the best version of yourself through your cancer journey. A heavy topic, sure. “But most of all, I want you to laugh,” Champion wrote. In November 2023, Champion was diagnosed with Stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer that was upgraded to Stage 4. The cancer spread to her brain, adrenal glands and intestines. Now, she is cancer-free. “I’m victorious,” she says. Champion has a big smile and wears colorful, artsy clothes. Her smile itself inspires. She calls herself a natural storyteller, after her mother Frances B. Champion. Champion is a former high school teacher and college professor, leader and coach. In 2021, she wrote Salmon Croquettes, a novel telling the story of 12-year-old Zayla on the verge of discovering her own sexuality. Champion loves her Tibetan terrier, Tashi, her weighted blanket, breakfast for dinner and “self-love Sunday,” her favorite day of the week. Finally, Champion just opened Black History Month events for BLAAC (Black Leaders and Allies Collaborative). Weekly: How did it all start? Champion: I was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. The first thing I learned was that acceptance is really important. I spent a week by myself and what I want to tell all the cancer patients is: Don’t try to do it on your own. What have you learned? There are two outcomes of cancer: remission or death. I set my intentions on remission and tried to go through this without fear. You decide who you want to be on this journey. I also wondered if other cancer patients have similar thoughts and how to release the negative emotions. I also learned that people in your life can surprise you. People get weird. Some friends or family members disappear. Fortunately, I have a really strong network and they stepped up for me. I also learned that being surrounded by people who are there for you can be an almost euphoric experience. After my first chemo week alone, I let my friends take turns to accompany me during the following chemo weeks. Then, there was a friend who came and talked only about herself even though I was the person with cancer. I felt judged. Some people are not capable of being a support and they should communicate this to a person that goes through cancer. How can a person best support those who go through cancer? Understanding. The biggest thing is to understand their responsibility to see the other person as a human being. To understand that it’s not about them and that they are here to support you, not to tell you what to do. I’m very talkative but sometimes I need quiet time; you can just sit with me, climb on the bed with me, help with meals. My advice is: Take the help you can, you don’t have to do it alone. You have become a regular speaker at local events, and gave a Feb. 1 presentation to kick off Black History Month for BLAAC. It was a fantastic event. I got good feedback. I gave a talk about vulnerability and empathy. Then I made a call for action and asked them to make a commitment and be more present in conversation with people. These were my marching orders. What are your thoughts on the Black community now, in the age of Trump? There is a lot of fear and concern in the community. Let’s go back to the second book idea. When exactly did it come to you? I was still going through chemo. I wrote the book in five days, and the experience was cathartic. I was writing it when I still wasn’t sure if I would leave this planet or not, as a gift to other cancer patients and the people who support them. You picked Paul Richmond as an illustrator. We are good friends. When I was diagnosed, he made a painting of me. It was made for an exhibit that was canceled. We agreed that one time he will take it back and present it to the public, but right now the painting is with me. Throughout my journey, it reminded me who I am. He did a great job, absolutely. I love it so much. Champion’s League Glodean Champion turned her bout with cancer into an uplifting, relevant guide for others. By Agata Popęda Glodean Champion is back with her second book, It’s All About You / It Ain’t About You, based on her own experience. DANIEL DREIFUSS Shelter From the StormS Are you feeling demoralized, isolated, powerless, fearful? In need of a supportive community? First the pandemic, then the barrage of natural disasters and the ugly divisiveness of politics have separated us and made us feel small and ineffectual. Too many of us don’t know where to turn and have withdrawn unto ourselves. We offer an alternative. We believe in community. We say YES to JOY, to LOVE, to COURAGE, to HOPE to go forward. Our Sunday services at 10:30 am and our many activities do not focus on eternity but on how we can face today and this new week with a positive spirit striving to do good and to be better improving the world a little everyday, with a particular focus on social justice, enviromental, glbtq+ and immigration issues. We welcome everyone, and believe that it is going to take all of us to thrive! To learn more check out www.uucmp.org or call 831-624-7404 or e-mail office@uucmp.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula • 490 Aquajito Road, Carmel
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