Pasco Deputy Honored for Courage

When most people face life-threatening, traumatic experiences, they want to move on as quickly as possible without looking back.

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Laura Morello isn’t most people.

The detention deputy faced down stage 4 lymphoma a few years ago and won. Rather than put that part of her life behind her entirely, Morello has dedicated herself to helping raise money for the American Cancer Society. She’s also committed to raising awareness about cancer and what people can do to prevent it, fight it and help find a cure.

For those reasons and more, Morello was selected as the recipient of the 2011 Courage Award. This honor was bestowed by the American Cancer Society’s Pasco County. The award is meant to recognize people who “have shown great courage in their own personal experience with cancer,” and have stepped up to share their experiences to inspire others while becoming involved with the society, according to the award description.

“She is an amazing volunteer,” said Robyn Liska, the executive director of the Pasco unit. “We’re just really honored to have her be very supportive not only of her own relay and mission in Land O’ Lakes, but she is going across counties to speak for us at events. We’re just very grateful to her for sharing her story and getting the message out there.”

Morello is the immediate past chairwoman of the Land O’ Lakes Relay for Life event. She is also a member of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s Hula Hooters Making Strides team and remains a member of the sheriff's office's Erasers relay team.

Morella, who celebrated her three-year cancer-free birthday May 28, said she speaks out and is active in the fight because she understand that cancer can affect anyone.

“I’m kind of a miracle,” she said, explaining that the type of T-cell lymphoma she had didn’t have an effective treatment only a few years prior to her diagnosis. “One of my reasons (for participating), is to bring more awareness to the community. I shouldn’t be here, but I am.”

As a mother, grandmother and member of the community, Morello said in a previous interview that she wants to do her part to help support others who are walking in her shoes. She also wants to help ACS in its mission to find a cure.

“It’s real important to me that people understand that $1 to $2 (donations help),” she said. “It all makes a difference.”

As for the award, Morello said she had no idea it was coming.

“I didn’t expect this,” she said. “I was really surprised.”

Morello is humble about the honor and her desire to help.

“It’s my time to give back,” she said.

She simply wants to inspire others to get involved in the fight.

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate,” Morello said. “It’s a horrible disease.”

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said he’s proud of Morello and finds her story inspiring.

“She’s a true hero.”