Terry McCann, 1934-2006

Director

Mesothelioma Patient
Orange County, CA

Terry McCann was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma in June of 2005. Terry waged a valiant fight against this deadly disease with the assistance of his treating physician, Dr. Robert Cameron, a dedicated member of PHLBI’s Scientific Advisory Committee. Terry is renowned for outstanding personal achievements in amateur wrestling, philanthropy, and volunteerism. In every aspect of his life, Terry demonstrated a drive to be the best and a desire to help others around him be their best.

Terry’s impressive list of amateur wrestling accomplishments began in 1952 when he won the Illinois High School State Wrestling Championship. He then went on to wrestle for the University of Iowa where he continued his winning-ways, becoming a three-time All-American and a two-time NCAA Champion in 1955 and 1956. Terry also won three consecutive AAU National Championships and posted the only undefeated international record of his time. Terry then reached the pinnacle of his sport when he went to the 1960 Rome Olympics, soundly defeated all of his competition, and won a Gold Medal.

Returning from Rome with Olympic gold, Terry remained involved in the wrestling community by volunteering his time to coach young wrestlers. In the 1970s, he coached several All State wrestlers and a total of 47 National Champions. Terry says that his payment for coaching was seeing each young man win his own championship.

After achieving great coaching success, Terry co-founded the United States Wrestling Federation which later became USA Wrestling, the governing body of wrestling across the world. Terry is a member of the U.S. Wrestling Hall of Fame, the International Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the United States Olympics Hall of Fame

In the mid 1970s, Terry moved his family to Southern California. He was not in California very long before he took up surfing. Using the same traits that made him an Olympic Gold Medalist, Terry acquired the skills to become a great surfer. His newly found passion led him to join the Surfrider Foundation, an environmental organization focused on keeping beaches clean. In 1993, Terry ran for a position on the Board of Directors and was elected President of the foundation. He made tremendous positive changes to an ailing foundation and increased surfer awareness to all-time highs. Before the onset of symptoms from mesothelioma, Terry surfed daily and was a proud member of the San Clemente “morning crew” which went out every morning at sunrise.

He also achieved great personal success in his professional life, where most of his time was spent as an executive for non-profit institutions. Terry was the CFO of Lions International, the largest service organization in the world. He also served as the Executive Director or Toastmasters International for 30 years.

PHLBI is very fortunate to have had Terry McCann on its Board of Directors. Terry was all too familiar with the need for advancements in treatment options for this and other occupational diseases.

David "Punch" Worthington (l) and Terry discuss the need for research at Terry's home on January 29, 2006

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Medical and Civil Justice Communities Mourn the Loss of Mesothelioma Advocate, Terry McCann (6/8/06)

Terry McCann 1934-2006 Several press releases and notifications of Terry McCann. (6/8/06)

- Olympic Wrestler Succumbs to Rare Cancer
- At The End, It Was Still About Surfing
- UI Wrestling's First Olympian Dies at 72
- "They don't make them like that anymore"
- "Terry was the greatest coach I ever met."

Big Brother Struggles with Cancer, from Fran McCann. (3/7/06)

Gold Medalist Republican CEO Condemns Fellow Asbestos CEOs who Poisoned Him, Los Angeles Times, February 20, 2006

Golden State Column: The Legacy of Asbestos (2/2/06)

Olympic Gold Medalist Against the Asbestos Bail Out
Click here to see the video featuring mesothelioma patient Terry McCann of Dana Point, California.

As a Member of the Board of Directors for the Pacific Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Terry McCann asks for Donations to Help in Mesothelioma Research. (1/16/06)