Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 12, 1994                   TAG: 9407120092
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By KRISTEN KAMMERER Special to the Roanoke Times & World-News
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

BOCAY PROJECT FOUNDER DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER

"We are in a state of shock," said Glen Martin, the project's coordinator. "At this point, we have no idea what the project's future will be."

Hicks, 50, founded the Bocay Project in northern Nicaragua in 1987. Its goal is to help the people of that region rebuild their lives in the confused wake of civil war. Despite the war's end, turmoil and harsh living conditions still plague the region.

For the past seven years, and often at great personal risk, Hicks has single-handedly brought medical, social and agricultural assistance to nearly 20,000 Sumo and Mesquito Indians. His work has been supported by volunteers in the United States who promote the project's cause and actively seek private contributions of money and equipment.

Hicks' illness was discovered by a Blacksburg doctor in April when Hicks was visiting the United States on his annual fund-raising tour.

During a routine physical examination, doctors took a biopsy from a suspicious-looking wart on Hicks' back. Tests later revealed that it was malignant melanoma, the most serious of the three types of skin cancer. Malignant melanoma is dangerous because unlike other types of skin cancer, it tends to metastasize, or spread throughout the body.

By the time Hicks received the diagnosis, he was in California visiting his mother and brother.

Hicks postponed his flight back to Nicaragua and saw doctors in California. A CAT scan and several more biopsies revealed that the cancer had indeed metastasized and invaded his lymph nodes.

Hicks immediately underwent surgery to have patches of skin on his back and several of his lymph nodes removed.

Shortly after the surgery, Hicks said he felt fine and began planning his return to Nicaragua. He had to wait several weeks, however, until doctors removed the drains and metal stitches with which they had closed the incisions.

"Gary would have been in Nicaragua the next day if they hadn't used metal stitches," Martin said. "But since no one in Bocay could remove those, he had to wait. He [was] very concerned about getting back."

According to Martin, Hicks left for Nicaragua last week, despite protests from his family. Hicks' brother, a physician, said that Gary's condition is extremely serious and that the prognosis is not good. But Hicks refused to stay in the United States for treatment.

"Gary is committed to ensuring that the project survives," Martin said. "He knows that his future participation is going to be limited. He won't be able to spend three days traveling in a canoe anymore. We're hoping that he will be able to work on other aspects of the project from the town of San Jose de Bocay.

"It's all just so sad," Martin added. "I would ask that people pray for Gary and for his recovery."

Hicks will return to the United States in five to six months for a full checkup and CAT scan.

The New River Bocay Project is raising funds to purchase an ambulance for the Bocay region.

Donations should be sent to Carolyn Hendrickson, in care of The New River Bocay Project, 418 Fourth St., Radford, Va. 24141.