Guilford Resident Battles Back Against Cancer

Guilford's Amy Stinton was diagnosed with melanoma in 2011, but hasn't let her diagnosis get the best of her. With the nickname of 'Sunshine' at ACES Tomas Edison Middle School in Meriden, where she is a physical education teacher, Amy is constantly positive and outgoing.

“Amy brings a can-do, will-do spirit to all she does. Amy uses her positive attitude and sense of humor to make even the most difficult situations seem manageable," said Karen Habegger, principal of ACES TEMS, in a press release. "She is an inspiration to students and staff.  Truly she is one of the best teachers I've ever worked with, and melanoma will NOT beat her. Quite the opposite!"

After her diagnosis, Amy participated in her first Smilow Cancer Center Closer to Free Bike Ride, joining the team appropriately named 'Team Live Positive.' She raised over $20,000 in 2011 and 2012, respoectively.

“Cancer was the easy part… it was all of the medical issues that arose, including lymphedema and cellulitis that have been the challenge” stated Amy in an ACES press release. 

Most recently, Amy was as selected to participate in the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven FlashMob

“Our ads have always tried to be different--not traditional or basic but giving cancer patients and survivorship a new face that says 'it’s my life, not cancer's,'  shared Mark D’Antonio, a Yale New Haven Hospital media representative, in a press release. "Our ads have always tried to reflect that upbeat, positive, can-do feeling that as a cancer patient, I am closer to being cancer free…due in part to the great work being done at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven.”

They knew Amy fit that bill. To view the Closer to Free Flash Mob, click here.