After an unsuccessful attempt to remove a cancerous tumor earlier this year, Glen Cove Christian Church Pastor Tommy Lanham is once again undergoing chemotherapy — and drawing strength from a community that continues to rally around him.
Lanham, 53, was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer in 2025. After completing eight rounds of chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation, doctors attempted to remove the tumor during surgery on May 28. But once the procedure began, surgeons determined it could not be safely removed.
“They closed me up and said, ‘This didn’t work. We’re going to try something else,’” Lanham said. “Even though it was disappointing it didn’t work, it is encouraging that they still see the possibility of getting this out and me being free from this.”
Following the surgery, he was referred to specialists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he has begun a new chemotherapy regimen. Doctors expect him to undergo at least eight rounds of treatment, with periodic scans determining whether additional chemotherapy — up to 12 rounds — will be needed before another surgery is attempted.
While doctors work to shrink the tumor, they have also given Lanham another assignment: regain the weight and strength he lost during treatment.
That goal has inspired support from several Glen Cove businesses.
Level Up Glen Cove has donated weekly personal training sessions tailored to Lanham’s recovery. Owner Nicole Helmus said trainers developed a customized program focused on rebuilding muscle and improving functional strength.
“We designed a program where he’s doing total body, but some days we focus on upper body,” Helmus said.
The sessions emphasize resistance bands, body-weight exercises and movements that improve mobility, such as
“I love what he’s done for the community,” Helmus said. “It’s our way of giving back to him to help him in his time because he’s poured into the community so many times.”
The support extends next door to Scoop & Fruit, where owner Antonio Mazilu created a protein-packed chocolate milkshake to help Lanham increase his calorie intake after learning how difficult it had become for him to gain weight during chemotherapy.
The drink, now known as the “Tommy Milkshake,” combines chocolate ice cream, milk, protein powder and whipped cream.
Mazilu said the milkshake will remain on the menu, and Lanham will never be charged for one.
Tammy Lanham, Tommy’s wife, said the kindness shown has helped sustain their family through another difficult chapter.
“Between our church and our local community and business owners, it has been amazing,” she said.
She has also been documenting Tommy’s journey through regular Facebook updates, both to keep supporters informed and to share specific prayer requests.
“They’re not giving up on me,” he said. “They still see the possibility of getting this out and me being free from this.”
