![\"Rick](\"http:\/\/www.daytonastateinmotion.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/N-Rick-Doolin-photo-supplied-by-Kristin-Mixell.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo Courtesy of Kristin Mixell<\/figcaption><\/figure>On June 22 of this year, Rick Doolin lost his battle with pericardial mesothelioma. Just a year prior, Doolin, a Daytona State College professor, began the long, difficult journey, along with his wife, Stacey and their two young sons, Jesse and Noah.<\/p>\n
A well-liked, respected, inspiring teacher, Doolin was known for his sense of humor and unique approach to learning.<\/p>\n
The initial shock of cancer diagnosis is always heart-wrenching.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think for me, the most difficult part of his illness was the prognosis,\u201d said Stacey Doolin. \u201cHe went from being healthy, active and young, to, \u2018Wait, now you\u2019re going to die?\u2019\u201d
\nAt that time, doctors told them Doolin had four to six months to live.<\/p>\n
Finding information and resources about mesothelioma became a focal point.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of all the legal aspects of mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuits, it gets very tricky to find the truth,\u201d said Mrs. Doollin.<\/p>\n
They went to the Moffitt Medical Center and Research Institute in Tampa for a second opinion. Gathering available reading material in the waiting room led them to the Mesothelioma Foundation. The information helped them realize, \u201cThis is not an absolute four to six months. There are options out there for people,\u201d she recalled.<\/p>\n
Prior to the cancer diagnosis, doctors were trying to find the cause of Doolin\u2019s illness. Concerned friends and students wanted to know how Rick was doing during this process. Stacey started their Facebook page, \u201cTeam Doolin,\u201d to keep people apprised of his condition. It quickly became a support system.<\/p>\n
\u201cRick had no idea he was so special to people. He made science and learning fun,\u201d said Stacey. \u201cThat page helped him like you would not believe. There were days he was ready to just quit. I would read those posts from students to him and he would say, \u2018Okay, I\u2019ll keep going one more day.\u2019 It really, really lifted him up.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
True to his nature, Rick wanted his death to help others. Originally wanting to be an organ donor, mesothelioma, which had ravaged his body, made that impossible. Not deterred, he chose to donate his body to the Anatomical Board of the State of Florida to be used as a teaching tool. Making arrangements at the funeral home, Stacey learned that while much needed, this is not common practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor all the people who wonder, what can I do after I\u2019m gone? Rick really is still doing something useful. He\u2019s still teaching.\u201d Stacey then added, \u201cWhether or not people are just afraid to talk about it before they die, or they think it\u2019s weird or don\u2019t even know about it, donating your body is doable. It\u2019s a very easy, gentle, forgiving process to walk through.\u201d
\nDaytona State College will host an event for National Mesothelioma Awareness Day at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 22. Flyers will be posted closer to the event.<\/p>\n
Mesothelioma information is at www.curemeso.org<\/a>. The Anatomical Board of the State of Florida website is Joyce Wagner In Motion Staff Writer On June 22 of this year, Rick Doolin lost his battle with pericardial mesothelioma. Just a year prior, Doolin, a Daytona State College professor, began the long, difficult journey, along with his wife, Stacey and their two young sons, Jesse and Noah. A well-liked, Continue reading DSC superhero continues to teach anatomy through generous donation<\/span>
\nold.med.ufl.edu\/anatbd<\/a>.To become an organ or tissue donor, visit www.organdonor.gov<\/a> or www.donatelifeflorida.org<\/a>. For more information go the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org<\/a> or the National Cancer Institute at www.cancer.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"