David Swann: lifesaver, philanthropist

On Dec. 6, the Charleston area lost a man who was my hero. He did not fit the profile of the most decorated war veteran, although he was a veteran, nor did he fit the profile of the most winning football coach in America. He was not famous, not celebrated, but more of his kind should be. He was Dr. David Swann, a dentist from Johns Island who saved my life and I'm sure many others. You may be wondering how someone in Toronto would have contact with a dentist whose practice was located on Johns Island. Let me begin a very short version of a very long story. I am now 22 years old. I arranged a school exchange from my home school, the University of Toronto, to the College of Charleston starting the spring semester of 2003. I was familiar with Charleston after spending many summers since childhood vacationing on Kiawah and Seabrook islands with my family. Before departure I was unwell. I had gone from a three-time National Track Cycling Champion and eight-time National Medalist to a kid struggling to stay awake in class and at work. I had lost a chunk of weight without explanation. I had a large sore on my tongue. This sore was examined by a number of medical professionals in Canada as late as Dec. 18, 2002, but was shrugged off as something caused by a sharp tooth. After all, what kind of healthy-looking, non-smoking 21-year-old could have what appeared to be textbook stage for tongue cancer? I left for my exchange and took up residence on Johns Island. In February, my sore, which was present for years, took a turn for the worse. It became very painful and started to affect swallowing and speech. I was advised by my mother, a nurse, to visit a dentist and get some antibiotics since it sounded like I had an infection. The next morning, I visited Dr. Swann's office. He knew immediately what he saw in my mouth was likely cancer. It was very serious, and he sounded the alarms -- free of charge, may I add! Dr. Swann often spoke very highly of his daughter, who is my age, and I'm sure it was not only his intellect but also his genuine caring heart that he possessed as a father that led him to spring into action on my behalf. Two surgeries, two types of high-dose radiation later, I write this. I am sure some may wonder why a Canadian kid would be paying for care in Charleston when she has it free at home. The reason is simple -- "SARS" was ravaging Toronto and the hospitals were closing their doors to patients. I am grateful for being able to receive my primary treatment in a city as beautiful, as historic and as kind as Charleston. Dr. Swann continued to keep in touch with me over e-mail after I returned to Toronto for further treatment at the end of March. He addressed his e-mails "To my Canadian daughter ..." and wrote of his travels and adventures. He had spent many years touring the Charleston area in a recreational vehicle equipped to give free dental exams to many children and families in the Lowcountry who often could not afford dental services. In my last visit to Charleston not even three weeks ago, I was given a tour of the new office he was finishing next door to his old practice. He was planning to make a full-time job of treating children who could not afford dental care -- for free. He said during one of our long conversations that he had enough money and that he really loved working with the children. For a man who has touched my life in so many ways, I give thanks, and I hope that the people of the great city of Charleston will give thanks and recognition to such a great man who made a difference. I only wish he were still with us to hear that I found out Dec. 5, after an intense battle this past year, my cancer is in remission. JENNIFER PILZECKER 44 Braidwood Lakes Road Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Web site created by My Scribe