Cancer hits home…
I really didn’t talk about this in my 2007 posts but it was certainly always on my mind. Last Summer, cancer hit home for my family. 
My Dad, Donald, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Soon after… my Mom, Sharon, was diagnosed with a more advanced case of ovarian cancer. My Dad’s news was hard enough and then with Mom’s diagnosis it was devastating. 
My immediate focus was our faith, working to remain positive and expecting the best. All those fundraising rides I pedaled have taken on even more meaning because of this closer family connection. My parents live in Jacksonville, Florida and fortunately they were both able to get immediate treatment at Mayo Clinic. My Dad’s case was tackled with surgery and he’s recovered well. My Mom’s case meant extensive surgery and chemotherapy. Once my Mom started her treatments, she sent me one of her bracelets from a chemo treatment. I carried it in my jersey during one of my century mountain rides. I can’t explain how much strength it gave me to tear up every last climb. I knew no matter how tired or crappy I felt it was nothing near what my Mom was enduring through her treatment. Anyone with a family member who’s had to endure chemotherapy and all that comes with it has a new hero in their life. I’m glad to report my parents are doing well.
This July, I plan on riding “24 Hours of Booty” in Charlotte, NC with a good friend who lost his brother to brain cancer. I’m riding for my Mom and Dad, for my friend’s brother and for the hundreds of thousands who have faced, and for those who will face, the fight against cancer. This ride is the official 24 hour event of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. As many of you know, there are so many great fundraising rides for cancer research, treatment and prevention. It’s pedaling with a great purpose and if every cyclist can ride at least one of these events this year it will mean so much more for those who have been touched by this disease. We must continue this fight by pedaling, pushing for more fundraising, praying or whatever means we can.
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WOW!!! Now that is a motivational blog entry! I am going to write about it on mine.
My father in law beat small cell cancer…only two people have had in NC. He is one strong dude…quit smoking the day he found out (after 45 years) and has never went back.
Glad to hear your folks are fighting it too…now we know where you get your strenght from!
Donald, to you and your parents, Don’t worry that you’re not strong enough before you begin, It is in the journey that God makes you strong.
Your words, love and committment to all of your family members, remain an inspiration to us all. Your parents are wonderful people! Good luck and stay safe on all your 2008 ride(s)!
Keep the faith bro… We can do all things through Christ!!
Erin and I are coming to Durham in May for a bridal shower. Hopefully we can do b-fast, lunch, or dinner. I know you’ll have a new addition, so we’ll play it by ear..
Donald, that’s a really sweet blog. Yes, once “it” hits closer to home it truly does assume a new meaning. Hopefully in our lifetime a cure will be found and wouldn’t it be nice to honor our loved ones and feel like we’ve been a part of finding that cure. We look forward to this summer’s 24 Hours of Booty and having you ride with us!!!
That was a very emotional entry, Don. I was feeling the same thing you were. Hopefully, some point in our lifetimes that enigmatic cure will be found to this epidemic! I’ve lost plenty of close people to cancer, and recently, my cousin was diagnosed with benign brain tumor…
That said, my girlfriend’s dream is to find a cure. I’m fully with her on that one ..
[...] reading Donald’s post about Cancer hitting home…I see clearly where his motivation and strength comes from…his [...]
Wow - thanks for sharing these courageous battles.
I agree, once you have a family/friend connection everything becomes clear. I know that sounds odd, but we run these races for a good cause but we never see it first hand (and in reality don’t want to). Mike’s mother died from Breast Cancer, that definitely hit home and we remember her every day and especially every race we do….we still pull strength from her..nothing can be as difficult as going through Chemo and the pain.
A friend of mine (30 years old) had a brain tumor in 2006….that really hit home…she’s my age!!! It’s taken a toll on her but she is one amazing lady. One year later she is working full time and ready to take on the world!! So far so good. She and her husband did the Lance Armstrong Bike race in Austin several months ago…very moving….
Again, thanks for sharing….I’m sending all my good thought and prayers your way!!
Thank you all for your well wishes… good thoughts and prayers! Cancer has touched us all in some way.
Everybody has a story. There are those of elation and those of heart-wrenching sadness. But the more we share, the more we know, the more power we have to make a difference… and to someday… hopefully in our lifetimes… find a cure!
Thanks for sharing your very personal story. I lost my grand-father a couple of years ago to colon cancer and one of my best friends to melanoma several years ago. Hopefully, a cure will be found very soon! Please put me on the list to contact for a donation.
Hi Donald. Thank you for sharing your story with us all. I have had the privilege of knowing your mom and she is a fighter! I pray for you and your family and know that God will take care of you all.
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Glad to hear your parents are doing well. I lost my father to cancer - awful disease.
The “24 Hours of Booty” event looks great. Remember to harass me in June to sponsor you.