Cool Cat: Dane Santos
Photo contributed by Dane Santos
While the entire world came to a halt due to the COVID pandemic in March 2020, Dane Santos’ own health problems began several months before. Santos, a 2019 graduate of CWU with a degree in Communication Studies, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December 2019 and started his journey with chemotherapy in January of 2020.
He hasn’t let his illness keep him down. Dane is planning to move to Chicago with his wife and eventually go back to the police academy. He even set a goal of working out for 100 days in a row during his treatment, and he filmed motivational videos about that effort. Here’s why you should know this Cool Cat.
Favorite childhood memory:
Fishing with my family, or snowboarding.
Tell us about your hobbies:
I fish and I do a lot of snowboarding. I love to ride my bike as well. Keep it simple...
I started chemo, or my second round of chemo, I did chemo from January to April of 2020. Then I did radiation from June to July. Then I did another batch of chemo [on] November 2nd. And through that, I set a goal for myself [to] either walk, ride my bike, walk stairs or do something every day. My goal was 100 days, and I hit that. From November 2nd to February 10th, [that was] 100 days exactly. I was able to get so many miles [in] and I did a couple videos.
Tell us about your personal goals:
My first personal goal is to get out of the hospital and be cancer free. My second goal would be to finish the Washington State Police Academy. It's going to take some time, just because I won't be cleared for another year and a half. So those are my top two.
Tell us more about your career goals:
I worked for the Richfield Police Department. I got 10 weeks into the academy when I was diagnosed [in] December of 2019. So, I've been fighting this thing for a year and some change. I need something to fill in that space for when I can go back. I got a job with the company that put my port in, Becton Dickinson, they make medical supplies and all that. I'm going to hopefully sell some oncology medical devices for them. My wife and I will probably move up to Chicago in May or June.
Three fun facts:
This is the hardest question yet. I'm married to my high school sweetheart. We have two golden retrievers - golden doodles. I spent more time fishing than I did going to class.
Quote to live by:
“Suffering is the true test of life” - David Goggins
Where can you find Dane:
I live in Camas right now. Well, technically, I live at OSU right now, in Portland. I've stayed at the hospital for 10 days. Hopefully, I'll be out soon. Hopefully in the spring, I’ll be out in Chicago.
Check out this video about Dane!
Video by Central News Watch
Full Story by Central News Watch: https://cwuobserver.com/17380/cnw/dane-santos-into-the-storm/
