BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

For nearly seven years, Ms. Lisa Wright has battled cancer, but only those in her closest circle know about it. She has undergone three major surgeries since December 2005, when the first tumor was found, and removed it and a portion of her stomach January 2006.

Ms. Wright said she raised by her grandmother, the late Mrs. Ella Mae Green, who died in June at the age of 93. “My grandmother was the humblest woman I have ever known. She raised me to keep going and not to give up because you can always find someone who is worse off than you are. “I don’t talk about it. I don’t want people feeling sorry for me because I don’t feel sorry for myself,” Ms. Wright said.

Recently, Ms. Wright was surprised at a pre-game meal when the head coach Jeremy Earle presented her with a pink football. “I still didn’t realize what was going on. When he called me up there, I was so surprised. My son knew about the cancer, but none of his team members knew until that Thursday. It was really touching,” she said.

“They were going to have the coaches and players sign it, but I want them to wait until I get a silver pen. I’m going to put it in a glass case,” the member of First Baptist of College Hill said.

Ms. Wright has been the Team Mom of the Jefferson High School football team, for the past four years. Her son, Keivontae, is a senior and plays strong safety on the team. Her daughter, Mikaila, is a sophomore.

When Keivontae decided to play football for Jefferson, she decided to become the team’s mom. Instead of getting snacks for the boys, Ms. Wright brought complete meals, such as baked chicken, yellow rice and green beans.

She begins cooking for the 72 football players and their coaches at 8 a.m., and finish around 4 p.m. “I realized that this is the only full meal some of these kids get. For them to sit down and fellowship, and get a good meal makes me happy.”

After having the first surgery, Ms. Wright said she did not have to take chemotherapy or radiation. However, in July, another tumor appeared. She underwent surgery and lost another portion of her stomach. The doctor created her a stomach from her intestines.

In all, Ms. Wright has had three major surgeries in the last six years. Through the years, she has had smaller tumors removed as well.

“Some people grow tumors in their bodies like wildfire. I’m one of those people. It seems that someone should be able to tell me why these things keep coming back,” the 31-year-old Lakeland native said.

Ms. Wright recently learned that her battle is not over yet. About three months ago, she began feeling sick again. Yet another tumor has been discovered and she had an appointment with the surgeon to make plans for the future.

Prior to becoming ill, Ms. Wright worked in the Hillsborough County School District for about 10 years. But after becoming ill, she was no longer able to work. The first couple of years were very hard because she was not getting disability.

She adjusted to the struggle and now she is known as the Candy Lady in her neighborhood.

When not being Team Mom, she spends a lot of time volunteering at Jefferson. All of the teachers all know her. She loves her children and wants to spend time with them as much as possible. “We do everything together. We are really close.”

After graduating from Gibson High School in 1990, Ms. Wright continued her education at Polk Community College, but stopped after 1½ years. She plans to return to school and become teacher. “I email my kids’ teachers and thank them for working with our children.”

When asked if she takes a rest after football season, she said no. Last year she cooked for the 14-member girls’ basketball team.

Ms. Wright said says she tries to be friendly with everyone, “You have to watch how you treat people because you never know what they are going through.”