Robinson fights cancer through volunteer efforts

Posted on October 10, 2012 By Editor Our Community

By Julie Kerns Garmendia

Resident Community News

Valerie Robinson, 51, followed a path from Toronto to Manhattan then to Jacksonville, largely due to meeting her husband William, 67, a Jacksonville native, while on vacation in Key West. The couple met at the Margaritaville Bar at exactly 5 p.m. on May 19, 1995 – a date William has romantically commemorated on his license plate. Dates and times are a recurring theme with Robinson, who has perfect recall when it comes to the important milestones, good and bad, in her life.
“I moved to Jacksonville in December 1995 before our wedding, and by January 10, 1996 I was at the local Northeast Florida Cancer Society asking if they needed volunteers,” she said. “I was a cancer society volunteer in Canada because the disease invaded my own family and it had a big impact on my personal life. I come from a family that believes in volunteering. I remember going door to door with my mom asking for donations when I was about five years old.”
The toll cancer has taken on Robinson’s family is dramatic. Three of her four grandparents died of cancer or a related illness. A dear friend’s young daughter was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer in 1986 that had not been seen in a child under age two prior to that time. Her father, Doug Clarkson, was diagnosed with melanoma in 1998 and fortunately he is doing well at age 86. On February 12, 2002 Robinson was diagnosed with melanoma and on September 10, 2002 her sister, Janie, was diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2010 Robinson’s mother Florence Nightingale “Nancy” Clarkson, 85, was diagnosed with lung cancer.
“I am thankful that I and my immediate family are doing well but cancer has been a big part of our lives,” she said. “…and yes, my mother was actually named for the famous Florence Nightingale, which makes our volunteering streak even more interesting. My given name is Florence Valerie Clarkson, after my mother and the famous nurse.” Florence Nightingale, 1820-1910, was a famous English nurse, writer and statistician who tirelessly tended wounded soldiers and laid the foundation for professional nursing. The Nightingale Pledge taken by new nurses is named in her honor and her birthday is celebrated each year on May 12 as International Nurses Day.
Robinson believes that her mother’s volunteer work with the American Cancer Society and many other charitable causes greatly inspired her own life. She said that her life would not be the same if she had never volunteered and that her two sisters and brother are also active volunteers in their communities. During her upcoming visits home to Canada, Robinson plans to volunteer alongside her parents.
“I believe that you are taught to give back to the community and if you are not taught to do this it may never occur to you,” she said.
Robinson’s own volunteer work has included the Cowford Ball, chairman, operations and executive boards, and the Road to Recovery Program. That program enlists volunteers to transport cancer patients who might otherwise miss their medical appointments.
“Many cancer patients have difficulty getting to their appointments, which may be frequent and are crucial to their treatment and recovery. If you are elderly, too ill or not strong enough to drive, you may miss appointments – this just cannot happen during chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Family members may want to help, but often cannot take off work,” she said. “It takes an army of volunteer drivers, who pick up patients, take them to appointments, then return to drive them back home. It is so rewarding because they deeply appreciate the help and we meet so many sweet, sweet people during such a vulnerable time in their lives. It is a wonderful community service. We always need more drivers, especially for the Northside.”
She also helps her many friends by volunteering behind the scenes with them for The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens events; the Art and Antique Show put on by The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital; and The Diabetes Association Cure Ball.
“I always encourage people to volunteer for many different reasons. My volunteer work truly changed my life. When I first moved here I knew no one but William and through volunteering I met so many dear friends,” she said. “Most volunteer organizations offer training and always need volunteers. These are perfect opportunities for mothers and young retirees or anyone with some time and energy on their hands.”
The Robinsons helped found the Riding Into History charity for motorcyclists who collect and restore historical vintage bikes. All proceeds from their events go to fund The Wounded Warrior Project.
“The 13th Annual Riding Into History Motorcycle Concours event held in May 2012 drew 300 to 400 antique and vintage motorcycle owners to World Golf Village to showcase their unique motorcycles. The theme was ‘The Landmark Motorcycles of Japan’,” she said.
The Robinsons stay busy. Valerie is a medical marketing consultant and William is a partly retired business marketing consultant. His daughter Lisa, son-in-law Chuck Alessandro and grandson Charlie, 5, live nearby in San Marco. In their spare time the Robinsons enjoy riding their seven motorcycles and one scooter, far fewer than the 14 they once owned. The couple have ridden and explored 43 countries. They will soon leave Simba, their indoor rescue kitty at home, as they embark on a long-planned six-week motorcycling trip through Africa.
“William was riding by the age of 14, and I rode behind my older siblings. Then on our honeymoon in Italy we saw wonderful bikes and when we got back we joined the BMW Motorcycle Club of Northeast Florida,” she said. “…and we volunteer with that organization too.”
The final event Robinson likes to publicize is one she helped develop and supports, along with local physicians Linda Sylvester, M.D. and Cynthia Anderson, M.D. The Pink Ribbon Symposium is held each October to provide free information and expert speakers in a public forum. The 2012 symposium will be held Oct. 6 at the Hyatt Regency from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature speaker Peggy Fleming, Olympic Gold Medalist and breast cancer survivor.