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Article Category: PeopleCare

DaleCare

How a simple blood test helped Dale catch cancer early

Published on April 28, 2025

Last updated 10:03 AM June 11, 2025

A friendly photo of Dale Crail. Reads "DaleCare."

When Dale Crail took the Galleri multi-cancer early detection test at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, he didn’t expect to uncover cancer. But early results led to swift action—and now he’s encouraging others to take charge of their health too.

A proactive tool to screen for cancer

Retired life was going well for Dale. The Evans resident enjoyed casting a line on the small lake near his home and cheering on his great-nieces and nephews at their sporting events. Cancer? That was the last thing on his mind.

But during an annual wellness visit, Dale’s longtime Wellstar primary care physician, Dr. Thad Wilkins, introduced him and his wife to Galleri—a groundbreaking blood test that screens for many of the deadliest cancers before symptoms develop. Wellstar MCG Health is the first hospital in Georgia to offer the test, which is performed with a single blood draw.

“Multi-cancer early detection screening offers my patients a way to screen for more than 50 cancer types,” explained Dr. Wilkins. “And that's in addition to the five cancers that we can screen for now, like prostate, breast, cervical, colon and, in some cases, lung cancer ."

Galleri is recommended for adults with an elevated risk for cancer, including those age 50 and older. Dr. Wilkins had taken the test himself and encouraged the couple to consider adding it to their routine lab work.

At first, they passed. Dale’s wife, a cancer survivor, eventually decided to take it. Fortunately, her results came back with no cancer signal detected.

Dale continued to think about it.

“I do whatever Dr. Wilkins tells me to do,” he said with a smile. “He takes a very active interest in my health and my wife's health and tells us what we should do and when we should do it. I’ve been with him over 20 years.”

At his next visit, Dale felt a nudge—and decided it was time. He left his physician’s office, walked across the street to Wellstar MCG Health and went to the lab for the quick and convenient blood test.

“I think God smiled on me that day and said, ‘Dale, you need to take this test,’” he shared.

An unexpected result

Just days after his blood draw, Dale received a call from Dr. Wilkins. The Galleri test was positive, with a cancer signal origin in the head and neck.

“For patients with a positive Galleri test, it's very important for me as their primary care physician to know that,” Dr. Wilkins said. “Not only do I get a positive cancer signal, but it also tells me where in the body that I need to look.”

“It was surprising,” Dale said of receiving the news. “Very surprising to hear that you've got the potential to have cancer in your body.”

Dale quickly underwent follow-up diagnostic testing at Wellstar MCG Health. First, he had a CAT scan, followed by a PET scan. Both confirmed the presence of cancer.

It was a lot to take in. Dale’s wife, having previously walked through her own cancer diagnosis, knew how hard the road could be. They were both worried—but deeply grateful the cancer was caught so early.

According to Dr. Wilkins, “The value of early treatment for cancer is that oftentimes you can avoid extensive surgery, and you may avoid radiation or chemotherapy.”

Personalized care, swift action

Dale was referred to Dr. Daniel Sharbel, a board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon who specializes in head and neck oncology.

“In my field, if you catch an early throat or oropharyngeal cancer, you're able to offer patients less intensive treatment strategies,” explained Dr. Sharbel. “If patients show up with more advanced tumors, then they may require multimodal treatments. … When caught early, they may be able to get just one treatment strategy: surgery or radiation.”

Because Dale’s cancer was caught so early, Dr. Sharbel was able to perform a radical tonsillectomy and neck dissection using transoral robotic surgery—a minimally invasive approach that offered the best chance at a full recovery without additional treatment.

“We had clear margins, and he had no adverse features that were indicators for needing radiation after surgery, and only one positive lymph node with cancer in it,” Dr. Sharbel said. “That allowed us to recommend sparing him radiation therapy after surgery.”

For Dale, the speed of diagnosis and the opportunity for early intervention made all the difference.

“Early detection of my cancer gave me an option of having surgery as quickly as allowable and neutralizing the cancer that was in my body,” Dale said. “My cancer was detected so early that the surgery was much less than what it would've been a year or two years down the road.”

Dr. Sharbel said Dale’s early diagnosis gave him the best possible path forward.

“He’s done great after surgery,” he said. “He’s got a great prognosis for five-year overall and disease-free survival. I think he’s going to continue to do very well.”

Dale said the care he received at Wellstar MCG Health stood out at every step—from diagnosis to surgery to recovery.

“My surgeon, after performing surgery in the morning, came by my room about 7:30 that evening and spent a good half an hour with me just talking,” Dale said of Dr. Sharbel. “And he needed to go home. He has a family, and he took the time to come and spend a lot longer with me than I may have expected. … The care has just been fantastic.”

For Dr. Sharbel, Dale’s experience reflects what’s possible when innovation and early detection come together.

“This is the story of a big win for patient care,” he said. “This is exactly what you want out of this test. You want to be able to get somebody a minimally invasive approach and spare them radiation where they don't have to deal with the lasting effects of radiation therapy. I mean, that's huge.”

Looking ahead with gratitude

Today, Dale is cancer-free. He’s back to the life he loves—fishing, spending time with family and encouraging others to be proactive about their health. But he knows the future isn’t guaranteed.

“The cancer is gone,” he said. “I always end that statement, though, ‘for right now.’”

That’s one reason why the Galleri test can be taken annually. Because deadly cancers can develop at any time—and some can progress quickly, even in less than a year—routine screening offers ongoing peace of mind.

However, “for patients like Dale, who had a confirmed head and neck cancer, it’s recommended that we wait three years before we resume annual Galleri testing,” Dr. Wilkins noted.

Dale says the combination of early detection and compassionate, expert care played a key role in his recovery.

“I’m very appreciative of the Galleri test and the quick action that was taken on my behalf by everyone at Wellstar MCG Health,” he said. “The Galleri test detected a cancer signal so early that I was very fortunate to have the cancer treated.”

He’s also become an advocate, sharing his experience with those close to him.

“I would—and I have—encouraged friends and family to look into the Galleri test,” Dale said. “Knowing what I've gone through and how it detected my cancer at such an early stage, they're thinking seriously about taking the test.”

Make an appointment with your Wellstar MCG Health clinician to discuss if the Galleri multi-cancer early detection is right for you, or call (706) 721-9335 for more information about the test.

To schedule a wellness check, find a Wellstar primary care physician near you.

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MCG Health Medical Center Jeff Thadford Wilkins Daniel Davis Sharbel
PeopleCare
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Runners take their mark on the track. Text reads XanderCare.

PeopleCare

XanderCare

Xander Garanzuay, a long-distance runner, never imagined his high school track meet would end with him being airlifted to the hospital. But when a discus struck him in the head, he suffered a depressed skull fracture and needed emergency surgery.

Thanks to the quick action and collaboration of Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center's trauma and neurosurgery teams, Xander is now back to running. His story highlights the resilience of the human body, the strength of family and the impact of expert care.

A sudden accident

After finishing the 2-mile race at a track meet in Cartersville, Xander stayed to support his Woodstock High School teammates. When he was ready to go home, he texted his parents.

A few moments later, everything changed. While tossing a ball with his friend, Xander ran to retrieve it—just as a discus struck him in the head.

The discus hit Xander on the left side of his head with such force that he fell unconscious. Xander began seizing—his condition was critical. While his friend raced to notify their coaches, Kelly, Xander’s mom, had arrived to pick him up.

“I’m sitting out front texting Xander, ‘I’m here,’ when emergency vehicles start pulling up,” Kelly said. “Then my husband called—‘Xander’s been hit.’”

Kelly stayed with Xander as EMS evaluated him. “He was awake but not coherent,” she noted. They determined he would need to be airlifted to Wellstar Kennestone, a Level I Trauma Center.

Life-saving surgery

Xander was swiftly transported to Wellstar Kennestone, where the trauma team was ready to act. Upon arrival, Wellstar Neurosurgeon Dr. Phillip Parry assessed the severity of Xander’s injury: a depressed skull fracture causing seizures.

“The discus is a large weight—picture a five-pound Frisbee—that is flung through the air,” said Dr. Parry. “Thankfully, Xander’s skull protected his brain, but he essentially sustained a ballistic injury to the skull.”

The impact to the left side of Xander’s skull left him with a fixed-focus neurologic deficit. His right arm—his dominant arm—had no muscle strength, and his right leg was weak.

Dr. Parry performed an emergency craniotomy to remove the bone pressing on Xander’s brain. The surgery was successful, but the road ahead was uncertain.

“The biggest challenge wasn’t the surgery itself—this is something we do every day,” he said. “It was telling a 16-year-old and his mother that we didn’t know whether he would regain function in his dominant arm.”

Kelly had to trust in the care Xander was receiving. “You don’t know what you’re going to do in that situation. Nothing prepares you,” she said. “I had to have faith that he was in the right hands—and he truly was.”

Steady progress

The day after Xander’s surgery, Wellstar Kennestone’s physical and occupational therapy teams began working at his bedside to restore movement in his non-functioning arm and leg.

“You want to do everything you can to optimize the body’s ability to heal,” said Dr. Parry. “It was important that we provided that environment for him.”

Xander’s positive attitude and determination played a crucial role in regaining function. His dad, Xavier, was amazed by his son’s resilience.

“He was so proactive and driven to get better,” Xavier said. “It was inspiring to watch.”

Still, sometimes the reality of what happened sank in. “He woke up one night and said, ‘I could have died,’” his mom remembered. “I told him, ‘Yes, but you didn’t.’ He said, ‘God must have something really special planned for me.’”

Xander applied the same fortitude from running to each step of his healing. “Sometimes you can be your own worst enemy, but you can also be your biggest supporter,” he said. “If you don’t believe in yourself, how can anyone else believe in you?”

Care that made a difference

Xander spent six days at Wellstar Kennestone before being transferred to inpatient rehabilitation. The support from Wellstar’s care team made a lasting impact.

They were there for whatever we needed—compassionate and always listening to Xander’s needs,” Kelly said.

One night during his stay, Xander woke needing help to get to the restroom. When a nurse arrived, he suddenly began seizing. “I’ve never seen eight nurses in a room so quickly,” his mom recalled. “Everyone knew exactly what to do.”

One poignant moment came when Xander’s family had the discus—now a symbol of victory over his injury—signed by his care team.

“It’s rewarding as a physician to know that I played a small part in restoring his ability to use his arm again,” Dr. Parry reflected. “As a parent, I know the anxiety that comes with the uncertainty of neurologic recovery. To see Xander move his arms and legs again, as if nothing happened, is a relief that’s indescribable.”

The power of community

Xander’s recovery was supported not only by his family and Wellstar care team, but also by his school and community. After the accident, his track team dedicated the next meet to him, with “Run for Xander” wristbands and signs. A teammate also started a GoFundMe campaign, which raised nearly $13,000 to help with the family’s medical expenses.

“People from all over came together for Xander,” Xavier said. “Posts on his team’s Facebook page were shared with running clubs from Canada to Miami. We were blown away.”

Xander was especially touched by the support. “This whole experience showed me how much my family loves me,” he said. “Seeing my friends, teachers and even family from Texas come to help—it meant so much.”

A bright future

After two and a half weeks of inpatient rehabilitation, Xander transitioned to outpatient rehab and continued regular follow-ups with Dr. Parry at the Wellstar Neurosurgery clinic. “At each phase, he received the best possible care,” explained Dr. Parry. “That’s why he had such a great outcome.”

Today, Xander is almost fully recovered and back doing what he loves most—running. “Physically and mentally, he’s doing phenomenal,” Kelly said. “He has his own training program. I am so proud of him.”

Xander’s progress wouldn’t have been possible without the trauma care network that supported him every step of the way. “The benefit of the trauma network can’t be overstated,” Dr. Parry said. “It ensures people get the best possible outcome even on their worst day.”

With expert care and determination, Xander is ready for whatever comes next.

Learn more about Trauma Services and Neuro Care at Wellstar.

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Highlights

Accidents Happen. Know Where to Go to Get Care for Injuries in Augusta.

Ortho-On-Demand

Sports injuries, broken bones and sprains don’t have to interfere with your schedule—Wellstar Ortho-on-Demand at 1220 West Wheeler Parkway in Augusta has you covered with convenient care when you need it. Our expert team provides prompt treatment for people ages 8 and older for musculoskeletal injuries, including: 

  • Immediate orthopedics specialty care
  • X-rays to assess fractures and breaks
  • Bone, joint or muscle injuries
  • Ankle sprains or strains
  • Knee sprains or strains
  • Hand, elbow, wrist or shoulder injuries
  • Broken bones without an open wound
  • Splinting, casting and bracing by specialty clinicians
  • New back pain

We welcome walk-ins and offer same-day appointments for fast, efficient care. Learn more about Ortho-On-Demand.

Urgent Care

If you’re dealing with a minor injury or need care after your physician’s regular office hours, going to urgent care is often the right choice. Wellstar Urgent Care Centers provide quick, convenient care for non-emergency medical conditions. 

We also offer Virtual Urgent Care, which provides virtual health visits for minor medical concerns from the comfort and convenience of home. 

Wellstar Urgent Care provides:

  • Care for minor injuries, such as sprains and broken bones 
  • Treatment for medical issues like bites, burns and cuts 
  • Lab and X-rays 
  • Sports physicals
  • Occupational health services
  • Worker’s compensation services 

Wellstar Urgent Care has locations in Evans, Grovetown and South Augusta, or you can use our Virtual Urgent Care.

Emergency Care

In a life-threatening medical emergency, every second counts. Never put off getting the proper care when lives are on the line. Remember, driving yourself to the Emergency Department (ED) may delay care, so call 911 for the fastest access to emergency care. 

When the unexpected happens, Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center’s Emergency Department is always ready. Our trained team provides expert emergency care 24 hours a day for people of all ages. At Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia, the dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department team is specially trained in treating children.

Recognize the signs of a medical emergency: 

  • Fainting or loss of consciousness 
  • Sudden, severe pain 
  • Uncontrolled or severe bleeding 
  • Choking, coughing up blood or severe vomiting 
  • Changes in mental status, such as confusion or unusual behavior 
  • Traumatic injury due to a motor vehicle or other accidents 
  • Broken bones with an open wound

Remember, call 911 right away in a medical emergency. That way, care can begin sooner during the crucial time it takes to be transported to the hospital.

Some conditions, such as sports concussions or gout, may be best treated by a primary care or orthopedics clinician. Our Ortho-On-Demand team can refer you to other Wellstar locations if needed.

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Person looking at heart rate on smart watch. Text reads "Mario Care"

PeopleCare

MarioCare

Being proactive with his heart health proved lifesaving for Marion “Mario” Stokes—and paved the way for a minimally invasive artery replacement procedure that has given him renewed energy to do what he loves.

Catching a heart concern 

Mario enjoyed a busy career as an attorney practicing commercial litigation. He also stayed active throughout his life, serving as a Navy Judge Advocate General Corps officer, becoming a certified scuba divemaster, and enjoying photography and studying history. When he noticed he was out of breath frequently—and his smart watch notified him of an irregular heartbeat—he discussed his symptoms with his primary care physician. 

An electrocardiogram detected a leaky aortic valve, and after discussion with his care team at Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care, Mario decided to proceed with a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Advanced, minimally invasive surgery

Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows, preventing normal flow of blood from the left ventricle, also known as the pumping chamber of the heart, to the aorta and the rest of the body. Over time, this narrowing causes the heart’s left ventricle to pump harder to push blood through the stenotic aortic valve.

“TAVR is an amazing technology offering a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery,” said Wellstar Cardiologist Dr. Nabil Sabbak, who performed Mario’s procedure at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. “The valve is delivered through a small catheter via a tiny incision in the groin, eliminating the need to open the chest or stop the heart. This approach is lower-risk for many patients and allows for a quicker recovery with less pain.”

Most patients are walking within hours of the procedure and leave the hospital within 24 hours, according to Dr. Sabbak. Many people return to daily activities within a week.

“I’m very sensitive to pain, but nothing ever hurt,” Mario said about his procedure.

‘It’s like a new heart’

Mario said his valve replacement has given him more energy than he had before, allowing him to enjoy his retirement and time with family. The improvement is evident in his regular walks around his neighborhood and exercise at Wellstar Health Place.

“There's a steep hill that's near our house. Before the procedure, I couldn't walk up the hill without stopping at least once or twice to pause and get my breath,” he said. “Now I can just walk right up—no problem. It's made a huge difference in my life."

He stays busy with his fiancée and their three-year-old granddaughter—taking her on trips to the zoo, botanical gardens and nature center—as well as visiting his two children in Las Vegas and Philadelphia.

“It's like a new heart. It's unbelievable really,” Mario said. “I slept twice as much before. Sometimes I'd sleep 10 or 12 hours a night and then maybe take a nap. I was really out of energy.”

He is also building strength at cardiac rehabilitation three times a week at Wellstar Vinings Health Park, as well as continuing treatment with his Wellstar heart care team.

“I have been super pleased with Wellstar,” Mario said. “The folks there are very professional, and they have a wonderful combination of intelligence, education and caring, from the receptionists to the nurses, physician assistants and doctors.”

Learn more about heart care at Wellstar.

Photo of Mario Stokes

Mario Stokes

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