Decathlete’s Fight With Cancer Becomes Source of Inspiration

The 450 students who gathered in Stockton on Saturday for the California Academic Decathlon were all familiar with major figures in the field of brain research: neurosurgeons, oncologists . . . and former decathlete Laura Gipson.

In preparation for one of the most excruciating events in the competition, the Super Quiz, students studied a 92-page packet outlining brain research. Inside was the story of the 19-year-old Gipson, who two years ago participated in the same competition while battling a brain tumor. She was diagnosed with the cancer in January 1997, and postponed her surgery a few weeks to compete.

It was the first time in the U.S. Academic Decathlon’s 31-year history that a decathlete has been featured in the resource guide, which meant that questions could be asked about Gipson and her condition.

“They’re probably thanking me a lot,” she said. “Like, ‘Oh, man, I’m going to get her.’ ”

The idea to include Laura’s story in the guide was born two years ago, when Gipson and her family were flown to Utah for the U.S. Academic Decathlon. Although Gipson’s team had not advanced to that level, the organization honored her with a $2,500 scholarship for her dedication and drive.

After the awards ceremony, Frann Shermet, the executive coordinator for the decathlon, invited the family and Gipson’s coach back to her hotel room to celebrate. That’s when coach Pat Boldt chatted with Shermet about the coincidence of Gipson’s circumstances and the fact that the 1999 Super Quiz topic was the brain.

“The two were clearly tied,” Shermet said. “I think we included Laura’s story to inspire the students and to make them aware of the fact that the brain has various diseases. Even though it is something that happens to people, they can still deal with it.”

Although there were no questions on Gipson in the competition, the young woman said she is pleased that attention has been drawn to her type of cancer.

“Brain tumors have never been a trendy disease,” Laura said. “We’re not the ones that everyone wears ribbons over, so it’s good to get attention to get more money into research.”

In the two years that have elapsed, Gipson and her family have made the disease their cause.

She flew to Maryland in January to testify before a regulatory panel that was deciding whether to accelerate approval of an experimental drug. The panel approved use of the drug, which she is now taking, and it seems to have reduced the size of her tumor.

The family is in the final stages of seeking approval for a new foundation to fund brain cancer research. They have also been working to attract more contributions to the Infinity Fund, directed by Gipson’s neurooncologist, Dr. Tim Cloughesy, at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

All these efforts, as well as her ongoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment, have forced Gipson to put her college plans on hold. Instead of attending UC San Diego, she is taking two community college classes--in journalism and oceanography--”for fun.”

Gipson underwent surgery last month to remove a cyst and more of the tumor from her brain, which among other things prevented her from attending Saturday’s Super Quiz. Still, she hopes her experience provided a valuable lesson for the students.

“If there was one thing I want them to learn about brain tumors, it’s that they can strike without warning,” she said. “We don’t know anything about how they came to be. I’d certainly like to change that.

“Now that [the decathletes] know a little bit on this, when they go out and make career choices, maybe they’ll go out and pursue this.”

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Times staff writer Richard Lee Colvin contributed to this story.