For Gary Buchanan, a 65-year-old Zephyrhills man diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer, pickleball is more than just a game. It’s a place where he can set aside the reality of living with cancer and find a sense of normalcy, purpose, and joy.
Living with Cancer
Buchanan was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer in April 2024 after experiencing severe back pain. The cancer has spread throughout much of his body, and he is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
Despite the challenges he faces, Buchanan finds solace on the pickleball court at Mouratoglou Academy in Zephyrhills. "Coming here, I’m just putting it behind me, and I don’t even know I have cancer," he said.
A Community of Support
Buchanan’s determination has inspired those around him, including Alison Nelson, the chief pickleball ambassador at Mouratoglou Academy. "Gary’s not letting this define him," Nelson said. "He’s actually fighting it."
Buchanan plans to continue playing pickleball, even as he undergoes more chemotherapy treatments through January. For him, the court offers something that medicine can’t: a sense of freedom and joy.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
