When University of Cincinnati alumnus Ken Ludlow and his wife Charlene Comeaux aren't busy globetrotting or rooting for their alma mater's teams, they're giving back in an impactful way. A recent personal health scare ignited their philanthropic endeavors, leading Ludlow to establish both an athletics scholarship fund and a cancer research fund at his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati.
The couple's life took an unexpected turn when, during a routine dental checkup, Comeaux mentioned some discomfort, which subsequently led to a stage four oral cancer diagnosis. The harrowing journey that followed involved a grueling 12-hour surgery and intensive recovery. It was this experience that inspired the Bearcat couple to seriously begin to give back, strengthening the bond between them and their university community. "I'm his inspiration," Comeaux stated in a University of Cincinnati publication.
Ludlow, a UCBA '71, Bus, '72 graduate, has always kept his alma mater close to his heart. But the empathy and understanding that came from his wife's cancer battle motivated him to do more. Ludlow’s contributions have now culminated in the Ken Ludlow Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund for student-athletes and the Kenneth E. Ludlow Fund for Cancer Research at UC's College of Medicine and the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. These funds aim to not only assist student-athletes in their endeavors but also to help push forward the search for cancer cures and better treatments.
The procedures Comeaux underwent were led by UC physicians, including the head and neck cancer surgery conducted by Dr. Chad Zender and Dr. Dustin Silverman. "I had a broken jaw, a cheek the size of a grapefruit, nerve damage and a drooping lower lip," Comeaux recallingly told the University of Cincinnati News. Her physical ordeal, including the surgical reconstruction of her jaw with bone from her leg, underscores the severity of her health crisis and the resilience that fueled her recovery.
Now, on the other side of her treatment, the couple's philanthropic pursuits serve to further the good in the wake of personal struggle. Together, they continue to explore life's pleasures while unreservedly extending support to the institutions and individuals that have helped shape their journey. Indeed, their story is not just one of survival, but of gratitude, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to give back.
