Thanksgiving Day Inspiration: Ex-Ormond mayor survives return of brain cancer
Headline Surfer video and photos by Multimedia Editor Serafina Frederick / Don't mind Dave Hood's funky hair style. After all, he's overcome the return of brain cancer since winning election in 2012 as the state representative for the 25th district in the Florida Statehouse. Click the video to watch the Headline Surfer® interview with Hood on overcoming brain cancer for the 2nd time and his reaction to receiving the 24/7 internet newspaper's inaugural award as 'Central Florida's Politician of the Year' on this Thanksgiving. At left, Hood is shown speaking during a debate on the floor as colleague Dwayne Taylor, D-Daytona Beach, looks on.DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Nobody would have second-guessed Dave Hood had he missed time from his legislative duties in Tallahassee as the state representative for the 25th district representing greater Daytona Beach. After all, he had to overcome the return of brain cancer earlier this year.
But Hood, the former Ormond Beach mayor with a list of community and civic involvement a mile long, didn't miss a single day of the Spring session at the State Capitol in Tallahassee, despite intense chemotherapy treatments that left him weak and nauseated.
"Only his closest friends and family members knew the extent of his cancer," said Frankie Robert, his senior legislative assistant at the Daytona district office.
"Only his closest friends and family members knew the extent of his cancer," said Frankie Robert, his senior legislative assistant at the Daytona district office.
Without hesitation, State Rep. Dave Hood, R-Daytona Beach, is the inaugural winner of the Headline Surfer® "Central Florida Politician of the Year" for 2013 on this sacred American holiday, Thanksgiving.
Photos for Headline Surfer® / State Rep. Dave Hood, R-Daytona Beach, confers with colleague Marylynn 'ML' Magar, R-Tequesta, on the House floor on April 2.
The 24/7 internet newspaper interviewed Hood in his 7th-floor district legislative office, 444 Seabreeze Blvd., on Monday afternoon, in between a hectic schedule with his law office, just three floors above.
What is truly amazing about Hood, 59, is his unwavering commitment to his constituents and how he's able to put his cancer in perspective, pointing out that there are other people worse off. And anyone with any self-pity could look to Hood in how he compares his plight with that of a 7-year-old girl he met who suffers from the deadly disease.
"The truth of it is, I'm fine," he said, in comparison to the ordeal the child he met during treatments is going through.
State Rep. Dave Hood, R-Daytona Beach, is shown, March 22, on the House floor during a debate. In the inset photo, Hood is shown the day before conferring with colleague Katie Edwards, D-Plantation.
Hood's cancer returned within weeks of his election victory over Port Orange Democrat Kristina Kephart, a newcomer to politics. Hood, who originally was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor nearly seven years ago, wrote a letter on July 25, to his House colleagues about the return of brain cancer, and that he underwent another brain operation two weeks prior to letting them know of his situation.
He wrote in part to his colleagues: "I would like to take the opportunity to express my deepest heartfelt appreciation for your prayers, support and compassion. The tumor was removed. I will continue treating and fighting the disease and I am expected to make a full recovery."
Quoting Winston Churchill, Hood said he's learned to overcome what cancer has taken from him; yet he's able and willing to continue on: "You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give."
And though Hood has yet to make a formal announcement, he said he has every intention of running again for re-election in 2014.
Headline Surfer® salutes Charles "Dave" David Hood on this Thanksgiving Day with the the 24/7 internet newspaper's inaugural "Central Florida Politician of the Year for 2013.
Here is a larger likeness of the award:
FAST FACTS: Dave Hood
Full Name: Charles 'Dave' David HoodMultimedia: Public candidate debate
Did You Know?
State Rep. Dave Hood, R-Daytona Beach, is sworn in as a legislaor as is David Santiago, R-Deltona, shown on his right with the red tie, on Nov. 20, 2012.
At left are bills either sponsored or co-sponsored by State Rep. Dave Hood for the 2014 legislative session.