Chris Stadelman sits among staff members who have treated him and lifted his spirits at the CAMC Cancer Center in Kanawha City. Stadelman recently completed his 16th round of chemotherapy. He is there as an in-patient for about five hours each visit.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Chris Stadelman has a sense of humor that reveals his zest for life and an outgoing personality that draws people to him.
At 44, he is also quite accomplished with a background in newspapers as well as public relations. On May 16, he celebrated a one-year anniversary as director of communications for Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. He lives in South Charleston with wife, Kelly, and their two labradors, Bettis and Crosby.
Because he appears to be physically fit, one would never guess that he fights an ongoing battle with cancer.
“I’m going to run the disease,” he said. “I am not going to let it run me. I’ve always been a little stubborn.”
Stadelman is this year’s honorary chairman of “Run for Your Life,” a five-mile run or two-and-a-half mile walk geared to raise awareness of colorectal cancer as well as provide education and funding for screenings. The event is organized by the Charleston Area Medical Center Foundation.
Stadelman has not previously discussed his illness publicly. However, he decided to do so in order to encourage screenings, raise funds for those unable to afford testing, and to honor his friend, the late Jody Jividen who died in August 9, 2002, of complications of colorectal cancer. Jividen had a 21-year sports writing career at the Charleston Daily Mail. He was an award-winning columnist, well-known chili cook, and avid distance runner…
