'A
Christmas Carroll'
WAVE
3 TV News Gee to serve as
grand marshal at Carrollton Parade
Recent
brain tumor surgery
hasnt slowed her down
By
Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer
CARROLLTON, Ky. (December 2009) A familiar
face will lead off a community parade for the city of Carrollton this
year. Known for her professionalism and honest character, WAVE 3 TV
news personality Dawne Gee has been chosen as grand marshal for the
Carroll County Chamber of Commerce-sponsored parade. It is scheduled
to step off at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.
For the past six years, Gee has been battling a brain
tumor. Although the tumor was malignant, she recently made the decision
to have surgery to have it removed.
Gee received the news from her doctor late one afternoon, just minutes
before she was to go on air with the 5 p.m. newscast. Over the phone,
her doctor told her she had a brain tumor. In a state of disbelief,
she somehow she held it together to get through the newscast.
The location of the tumor (a pituitary adenoma), made removing it very
risky. It was deeply rooted in her brain. It wasnt life-threatening,
but it threw her hormones into a tailspin and caused painful headaches.
That was six years ago. Since the surgery, she no longer has to take
a barrage of medications and deal with life-disrupting side effects.
Gee said she had lots of reasons for choosing surgery versus
taking medications the rest of her life to deal with the tumor.
She advises others in this situation to make their own choice.
It was a difficult choice, but one she does not regret. Gee had family
rooting for her, sons Eric and Alexander, and daughter, Brittney.
We chose Dawne Gee because of her active community involvement
and her great personality, said Bret Calhoun, administrative assistant
for the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. The parade is part of the
citys annual A Christmas Carroll celebration.
A Louisville native, Gee is well-known for her active community work.
She is on the board of the Brain Injury Association of Kentucky and
the American Red Cross board. She donates her time to many organizations
such as the American Cancer Society, Spina Bifida Association, the MS
Society, the Lupus Foundation, Community Health Charities, American
Lung Association, St. Baldricks and Guardia Care Advisory Council.
As Muhammad Ali says, You pay your rent in this world by
giving back to others, said Gee. While she said that may
not be Alis exact words, its close enough to the way she
feels about giving back to the community that has so richly blessed
her.
Gee was asked by Cindy Dunn, parade chairperson, to participate in the
event.
If anyone watches Dawne Gee on WAVE 3, her personality and compassion
just jumps out at you. I believe those qualities will bring excitement
to the parade, said Dunn.
Although the chamber has held parades in the past, this is the first
time the chamber has sponsored the parade, said Dunn. We wanted
to make it a fun and exciting day for the young and old alike.
Participants do not have to be a member of the chamber to enter a float.
The only requirement is that each entry has to have a Christmas theme
or decoration that displays the spirit of Christmas, said Calhoun. The
parade route will begin behind the Century 21-State Farm Insurance offices
on Highland Avenue on Marwill Drive and end in downtown Carrollton.
Three prizes will be awarded to the best entries: First place receives
up to $300 in free newspaper and radio advertising, provided by WKID,
WIKI and The News Democrat; second place receives up to $150 in free
newspaper and radio advertising; third place receives a 4x8-foot banner
from Bottom Line Marketing.
Churches will be judged in a separate category with the first place
winner receiving $100 cash, plus a trophy. Schools are also encouraged
to enter and will also be judged in their own category, with winner
receiving $100 and a trophy.
A Christmas Carroll will include a craft tent, music, visits
with Santa, a Sugar Plum Cooking Contest, carriage rides and much more.
There is something for the entire family, Calhoun said.
For more information, contact the Carroll
County Chamber of Commerce at (502) 732-7034 or Cindy Dunn at (502)
732-6669.
Back to December 2009
Articles.