Kenny Tuttle '20 Reflects On Cancer Experience, Starts Business To Give Back

Written by Joey Barrett '21
- ECGulls.com Contributor

BEVERLY, Mass. — The year is 2016: Kenny Tuttle had just graduated high school and was a week away from turning 18 years old. Then, a small bump on his neck turned into the biggest obstacle of his life.

Growing up in Maine, Tuttle was succeeding both inside the classroom and outside on the golf course. But on a day when the only thing on his schedule was a friend's graduation party, his mother noticed that small bump.

Tuttle said it was so subliminal his mother asked him if it was from a fight at school.

"It looked like a bug bite," Tuttle said.

One overnight later at Maine Medical Center, Tuttle was diagnosed with stage II Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer.

He admits there were lots of "emotions and fear" at first, but after his initial reaction, his mindset changed.

"I wasn't ready to let some disease control the way that I lived my life. I was ignorant, but I was a good ignorant," Tuttle said.

He was so determined — he still remembers the day of his diagnosis: July 28. Tuttle recalls that he would even tell his doctors he needed chemotherapy in the morning so he could play golf in the afternoon.

Despite his relentless approach, the five-month battle was challenging and required four cycles of chemotherapy and a month of radiation every morning at 7:00 AM.

That being said, he "grabbed the bull by the horns" and overcame the grueling stretch. Tuttle said he wouldn't have been able to do so without his friends, family, and community.

One of the strongest supporters he had was his grandmother, or, "Me-Me," but Tuttle said it wasn't a surprise considering their seemingly unmatched bond.

"I was there at his birth. We've had a very special bond his entire life," Tuttle's grandmother said. "I was with him every step of the way."

She described his initial diagnosis as a "gut punch," but wanted to show him that he wasn't alone in his fight.

His grandmother said she knew he could beat the disease because of how he had handled himself growing up. Even when the two cooked meals in the kitchen during his childhood, she said Tuttle's response was always "Kenny all set" whenever she offered him assistance.

On top of her support, she gives lots of credit to the Gorham, Maine community. Once Tuttle's story went public, lots of fundraisers were launched featuring t-shirts with his name across the chest.

There was a heavy dose of social media presence as well, with the hashtag being #TuttleStrong.

"The whole community turned out," Tuttle's grandmother said. "He had support from all his family, all his golf teammates, and all his coaches."

TIME WELL SPENT ON HALE STREET

Months after his diagnosis, he wound up at Endicott College due to its academic offerings and of course, the beaches. The psychology major earned many accolades during his time at The Nest including two Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Academic All-Conference honors, one All-CCC Second Team selection, and helped the Gulls claim two CCC Championships, among many other noteworthy academic and athletic accomplishments. 

He also served as a presidential ambassador for the late Dr. Richard E. Wylie as well as his successor and current president, Steven DiSalvo.

"He's a great young man, obviously very motivated, and when you talk about someone who's resilient and determined to overcome, he's it," DiSalvo said.

President DiSalvo and Tuttle would sometimes meet to discuss life on top of presidential affairs, and DiSalvo said he was impressed by how Tuttle had learned to be more vocal with his story.

"He realizes that it's a good thing to talk about it [cancer] and to encourage others," DiSalvo said. "If it was a few years ago, I don't think he would've told the story the way he tells it now."

Chief of Staff Jillian Dubman worked with Tuttle as well and said one of his greatest strengths was engaging with members of the community.

"He's a really great guy to know and we were so happy to have him," Dubman said.

The coronavirus pandemic prevented Tuttle from having the graduation he deserved, but he said he's more than happy with the time he spent on Hale Street.

"He loved Endicott, bled blue and green," DiSalvo said.

SUPPORTING OTHERS

Tuttle used his platform on campus to speak about his cancer experience, but said something felt off once he couldn't do that anymore.

According to Tuttle, his cancer story wasn't done and he had two goals: to educate people on the disease and to motivate those facing it.

Tuttle reached out to members on campus about an idea he had for a business, including Assistant Director of Student Activities Alyssa Laurenza. The two spoke about the business, what it'd mean, and how it could become executed.

"He [Tuttle] came into it really knowing what he wanted to do," Laurenza said. 

Tuttle went on to create an organization called Fight'n Ca. where he works with children battling cancer to design their own customized t-shirts.

Three months in, the website is up and running — and Tuttle's vision to give back has turned to reality.

"It's a company that's focused on building comfort and support for kids that have recently been diagnosed with cancer," Tuttle said.

Tuttle lets the child design his or her shirt with any colors, visuals, and logos they please.

"I want that kid and family to be able to collaborate, have fun, distract the mind from what's going, and build a design that means something to them," Tuttle said.

He then provides that shirt to the family — free of charge. Once that's done, the shirt goes up on the website with 25 percent of proceeds going back to the family to help with their cancer endeavors.

Tuttle stresses that a big part of the business is creating relationships. He's been in contact with local hospitals and said he's ready to collaborate with institutions anywhere in the world.

"Three months into it, I'm in a really good spot," Tuttle said. 

Tuttle's girlfriend, Leah Laurenza, said he puts all of his energy into the business and that his mind is always there, one way or another.

"Ever since I met him, he's been interested in giving back," Leah Laurenza said.

The two met during their freshman year at Endicott, and she enjoys how they've watched each other set goals for five years now.

That being said, it's safe to say that one of Tuttle's goals is to turn Fight'n Ca. into something special.

"The whole purpose of it is to see children become empowered," Leah Laurenza said.

For more information on Tuttle and Fight'n Ca., please visit: https://fightnca.com/

Since 2020, Fight'n Ca. has completed at least 13 projects, donated over $5,000, and educated and motivated many individuals and families since the company began.

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