- May 3, 2024
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When Ben Manganaro was diagnosed with thyroid and lymph node cancer three weeks ago, he didn’t stress. He knew he was going to beat it.
25-year-old Ben Manganaro didn’t think the worst when he noticed a swelling lymph node on the side of his neck.
“I thought it was because I was getting stronger and a lot more handsome,” The East Ormond Beach CrossFit Trainer joked. “So I thought it was cool. Everyone called it my squishy.”
Eventually, enough people pushed him to get it checked out. He was soon diagnosed with thyroid and lymph node cancer — almost exactly three weeks ago.
“We rushed it and did the biopsy so quick,” Manganaro said. “Now I look like the Joker on my neck. If we would have sat on it, it would have moved to other parts of the body. But we caught it quick.”
Manganaro said thanks to the Lord, his community-wide family support and his continuously positive attitude, he is now cancer-free.
“I give all my credit to the Lord,” Manganaro said. “The community around me, which I call my family, they said ‘Ben, don’t stress. We can do this.’ I kind of sat back and never lived a day like I had cancer. In my mind it was there but I never let it get to me. My family, my CrossFit family, made it that much easier.”
Manganaro said he’s learned countless lessons through this experience, but he wants other people to know they don’t have to go through their struggle alone.
“Don’t be afraid to let other people help you,” Manganaro said. “You can’t handle this on your own. No matter how strong you think you are. You need help. The more you put it out in the open and the more people you tell, the more people you have putting good vibes out there for you.”
