Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Pitching in for the fight

By NICOLE HUTCHESON, Times Staff Writer
Published August 8, 2007

Lori Mann Pinard has owned an Italian restaurant, raised six children and performed in the same Coral Gables nightclub as Doris Day.

Oh, and she's also battled and beat cancer. Twice. The first time, it was breast cancer. Last year, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has been receiving treatment.

But cancer is merely one chapter in 77 years of living - not the whole story, says Pinard, who lives in Safety Harbor.

Her goal now is to focus on the things she loves most: cooking, her family and singing.

She'll do the latter Friday evening when she sings the national anthem at the second annual Clearwater Threshers Pitch for Pink game, which supports breast cancer awareness and treatment. All proceeds benefit the Morton Plant Mease Hospital Foundation. Last year's game raised $31,000.

Recently, Pinard sat down with the Times to discuss her life:

When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?

When I went for my mammogram in 2005, they found a spot. I had a complete mastectomy on the right side. There was nothing in my lymph nodes so I was lucky. I had radiation and chemotherapy, but no pills.

Sounds like you responded well to the treatment. I'm sure that was a relief.

Yes, but then in 2006 I got a tummy ache over Labor Day. Being Italian I never get tummy aches. It went from the back to the front. My doctor at that time thought it was something I ate, but after about a week I decided I had to see someone else. He sent me to a bone doctor. He took one look at me and said, "I think you ought to go to a gastroenterologist." I had pancreatic cancer. I went over to (H. Lee) Moffitt (Cancer Center and Research Institute) and the tail of my pancreas had a large tumor. I had surgery in December 2006. Now because of that I have diabetes, but it's Type 2. So I'm on a pill for that.

How did you feel on the day of your diagnosis?

My objective is living. If I lived, I knew changes would come. Often we dwell on our own situations. I can't change the fact I have cancer, but attitude is big. I'm a go-forward woman. It's sort of been a gift. Strange as it is for someone who doesn't have it. It's given me an opportunity to stay here on earth, to feel the love and support of friends, family and it's renewed my faith.

You seem to have remained so positive. How have you done that?

My son asked me the same thing. He said "How do you have such confidence and keep going? You're like the energizer bunny, mom." I don't know. I just hope every day leads me to a future hopefully of winning. I just keep hoping I can beat this. I'm 77. Do I want to get to 100? I don't think so. But I want to live a good productive life.

Tell me about your singing career, where did you get your start?

I used to close up my Italian restaurant, Tagliacci, in Miami and go to a little club where Doris Day got her start. That was 1970. I used to deliver my food down to the musicians there. One night I got up and sang and the guys complimented me. I started going out jamming at different places. Then I moved to Orlando in 1981 and I worked daytimes to make a living selling advertising and did my music at night. Then I moved to Madeira Beach. I got a job at the Bilmar and started doing shows like a red hot mama and I'm still doing it now. With what I'm going through it's been wonderful for me to have my music with me.

You sang in the same club as Doris Day. Did you ever get to meet her?

No, I didn't. The closest I came to celebrities were Dean Martin and Connie Haines, who sang with Tommy Dorsey. She's a wonderful cancer survivor.

So where do you sing locally?

I sing in Dunedin at Cricketers British pub from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. I love big band swing and jazz. I'm a glitzy person. When I sing I wear all the glitzy things I can find and all sequins.

Who are your favorite singers?

I like Tony Bennett, Vick Damone, Sinatra - he's always around. For females, I'll go with Ella (Fitzgerald,) Sarah Vaughn and, of course, I like Doris Day. And of the younger ones, I like Melissa Manchester. I'm a mellow bluesy singer.

How do you prepare to sing the national anthem?

I don't practice. I don't sing at home. I don't sing in the shower. I only sing in front of an audience. I'm an alto and my voice is still clear. The only way I've abused my voice over the years is I've had six children and a restaurant.

No rehearsals? Aren't you nervous?

No. My husband, Mike, said to me "You're really getting a high, don't you want to cool down?" He's my Vermont maiden. He was quiet until I got a hold of him. But really, I feel wonderful about this.

Fast Facts:

IF YOU GO

Pitch for Pink

This year's event will take place Friday. The Clearwater Threshers will play the Daytona Cubs at Bright House Network Field at Drew Street and U.S. 19 in Clearwater. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and include a breast cancer survivors walk on the field. Game starts at 7 p.m. and the Threshers will wear pink jerseys. Tickets are $3, $6 and $8. Visit www.threshersbaseball.com or call (727) 467-4457.

Breast cancer

- An American woman has about a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer sometime in her life.

- More than 178,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year.

- Nearly 41,000 women will die because of the disease.

- There are slightly more than 2-million women living in the U.S. who have been treated for breast cancer.

Source: American Cancer Society

[Last modified August 7, 2007, 22:37:12]