This is my day!

"So, yes this is MY day, and I will be somewhere." - Dan Field

This is a day in which I give you the words from another. Each of us have family, friends and others that have been affected by cancer. When we hear of it, we feel powerless and deficient to do anything about it. But there are things we can do.

- We can support fundraising efforts in support of research.
- We can take part in awareness campaigns that help minimize risk of cancer.
- We can support those dealing with cancer today, simply being there, loving them.

The following are words from a work friend of mine regarding his close friend. It is about the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. It is about words from a man who embodied hope for others, even as hope faded for him.

Please take the time to read and possibly support this one of many good causes. Ten, one hundred or a thousand dollars go a long way and every dime is greatly appreciated.

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From Tim Colligan - Profile

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I again would like to start by thanking everyone who has generously donated to the DFCI supporting my ride this year. I also appreciate your words of encouragement and thanks. The thanks however, need to be directed to the good people at DFCI and the hard work they do caring for patients and families and of course working to discover better treatment, care and ultimately a cure for this horrible disease that affects too many.

Back on February 4th which was World Cancer Day, I briefly wrote about a few of the people I personally dedicate my fundraising efforts and my bike ride to; Dan Field was one of them.

Dan is a close friend who is the guy that got me back on a bike and involved with this event, the Pan-Mass Challenge. I have been involved as a rider, event volunteer or kids ride volunteer every year since. Dan’s journey started back in 2002 around the holidays after a health event at work. Shortly after, Dan was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. A husband and father of two, his worst fears were realized. Dan’s 1st brain surgery was shortly before Christmas that year followed by a specific treatment protocol.

Living in Massachusetts and being a cycling enthusiast, I knew about the Pan-Mass Challenge and day one of the route runs through a portion of the town we live in. As a thank you for the care and treatment Dan received at BWMC/DFCI he committed to and rode his 1st PMC in 2003, 8 months after surgery and treatment.

I was more than happy to support his efforts and donated to his ride. I believe it was in 2004 when I got the first “why don’t you ride the PMC this year” from Dan. I laughed it off and stated that I will stick to donating money. But in 2005, the tumors in Dan’s brain returned. A second surgery followed and when time to sign up for the 2006 PMC came, Dan did not hesitate. If he he could physically ride the bike, he was in.

Here is where my role changed.

When Dan asked me to join him in 2006, how could I say no? This guy endured two brain surgeries, radiation, chemo, months of treatment, countless tests, hospital visits and he is still on the bike. What was my excuse? So my PMC journey began and it was personal.

We all have a friend, a family member, someone we love affected by cancer, I only had to look to my wife who was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Not to mention aunts, uncles, friends and Dan.

Then in the summer of 2012, Dan said in his cool, ‘I have it covered’ style, told me his latest MRI was not good and the tumors were back. More tests and surgery number three followed just days before Dan’s 10th PMC. Dan was unable to ride, but I met him Sunday morning, day two of the PMC to greet our teammates on Setucket Rd in the town of Dennis enroute to P-town.

A third brain surgery could not keep him away. And Dan continued to defy the cancer for two more years, but his body could not take it and as Dan said to me once, ‘the cancer has gotten smarter. It learned how to beat the treatment.’

Dan passed away July 17, 2014 surrounded by his loving family.

Through the last 12+ years Dan was battling this disease, not once did I hear him complain or feel sorry for himself. He endeavored, fought on and gave back. I’m a better person for having Dan in my life.

Here is an excerpt from a message Dan wrote to his family and friends in 2012:

“I have been training hard for the PMC (my 10th year riding!) and feel like I am ahead of the game with being in perfect shape for this ride. Time will tell whether I will ride the whole thing, part of it or I will be at the pedal partner stop cheering my team on.

I will be somewhere on my day!

I say my day, because I feel very strongly about raising the money so desperately needed to fund cancer research. This disease affects so many people, people with the cancer, people who take care of the people with cancer, family, and friends. One day I wish this would never have to be the case, and the only way possible is to raise the money, one dollar at a time.

So, yes this is MY day, and I will be somewhere.”

It is Dan’s day and he will be there with me and the rest of his teammates August 2 & 3 pushing us up that hill or helping us reach deep when we are out of gas in the dunes in Truro, because that’s what Dan would do.

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I ask you to generously support Tim's 2014 PMC ride with a tax deductible donation. Any amount is appreciated and 100% of the funds raised goes directly to the DFCI.

Each year, Tim carries with him the names of friends and family of those who are or have battled cancer in honor and tribute for the 190 miles. It is both a reminder and incentive to push through the miles and is truly the reason why each cyclist and volunteer is out there.

Thank you everyone and stay inspired.

DONATE HERE

Run With Us

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“Today we fight. Tomorrow we fight. The day after, we fight. And if this disease plans on whipping us, it better bring a lunch, 'cause it's gonna have a long day doing it.” ― Jim Beaver

Every year my wife and I find inspiration from one source or another to run in the world's largest 10K called The Peachtree Road Race. Each year over 60,000 people from nine to ninety-five take the 6.2 mile trek down Peachtree Street in Atlanta. It is a gathering for sport but it is a gathering of friends and fun on July 4th.

This year the inspiration for us touches my wife and I very close.

Just over a year ago our good friend Belinda passed away from a brain tumor. She battled strong and hard to beat the odds and lived longer than most doctors expected. Her husband Mark devoted everything to her and lovingly held her as she faded to a more glorious existence.

Fast forward nearly a year to the day, her husband Mark was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. My friend so close that I call him a brother. Cancer came out of nowhere and places him in that all too familiar battle many face when it comes to cancer.

Yet as he began his fight, another good friend in our circle named Bill was diagnosed with leukemia. More battles, more belief in knowing that there are great doctors out there helping these two men run the type of race they never expected to run.

Both Mark and Bill are avid runners of the Peachtree 10K Road Race and this year they are unable to run.

So this year, we run for them.

- We run for all those battling cancer.
- We run for those who have won or lost to cancer.
- We run for Mark and Bill

Will you run with us!

Stay inspired my friends!

Pancreatic Cancer

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” -Albert Einstein

Life has a tendency to fill the wagon you pull with rocks. These rocks range from small pebbles to large boulders. Each of these rocks are constantly being removed by you in order to lighten the load.

You use these rocks to lay a path for your journey in life.

A few years back in 2008, my family had those rocks fill our wagons with my mother having the largest burden to carry. In her late seventies, she was been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Yes, the same cancer that received momentary press coverage when the actor Patrick Swayze was diagnosed as well.

It is known that in America,

- one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
- one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

Of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,

- it is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
- it is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death among 40-59 year old men.

Approximately 38,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year in the United States and nearly 34,000 people will die from it. The number of Americans diagnosed each year of pancreatic cancer continues to rise unlike other leading cancers where an investment in early detection has led to a decrease in cancer incidences. Survival rates for pancreatic cancer have remained in the single digits for more than 40 years. Today, the five-year relative survival rate remains at just 6 percent.

Reading all of these statistics can overwhelm a person and my intent is not to beg for sympathy for her. My intent is to help raise awareness and to ask you to consider becoming involved. You can visit Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to learn more and donate dollars to aide in research efforts.

My bigger purpose is also to celebrate my mother's life.

Today is the anniversary of her birth and of a great life lived. As you could expect, you know how much each of us love her, laugh and cry while we remember the courageous battle she fought against this cancer.

Life as we understand it is finite at some point, but it does not mean we give up on it. Miracles happen, people live long and healthy lives, and we embrace the time that we have.

As you embark on your own journey of life, take a few moments to do what you can to help others improve their own journey.

Stay inspired my friends!

Stand Up To

Stand Up To Cancer

"Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare The truth thou hast, that all may share; Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare." -Voltaire

It was late in the afternoon of October 14, 2008 when my mother passed away from Pancreatic Cancer. The time was marked eerily by a previously stopped clock. It is a time that I will remember for its sadness but more for the memories she created for us.

About one month prior to her passing, Patrick Swayze appeared on the cancer research funding show called Stand Up To Cancer. He proudly stood and announced his own battle with Pancreatic Cancer. One year later he also passed away.

I could have waited until the anniversary of my mother's passing to bring this up, but when it is on my heart, that is the time to act. There are other people out there facing their own battle with cancer. Those people are your friends, your family, your children, your spouse and possibly you.

All of this means that now is the time to do something. Now is the time to act by contributing a few dollars to any number of organizations. Do your research of the organization you are giving dollars to. Find the right organization that fits for you. Your donation turns into research dollars that will help fight cancer of all types.

It also means standing up and doing something today. The same that is said about pursuing your dreams, you get up, you stand up today and begin moving towards it. Stand up today and make a difference.

Nine Centimeters

"Nothing is worth more than this day." ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

9 centimeters

The length of antique coffee spoons put up for auction.

9 centimeters

The length of a Hatchetfish found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

9 centimeters

The width of a Moleskine Notebook that fits nicely in ones shirt pocket.

9 centimeters

The size of a cancerous spot found on my friends kidney.

It is merely a number by which one uses to describe something. Like an infinite amount of other numbers, it could be larger or smaller. What it doesn't describe is how how we live life. It does not determine how strong the human spirit can be. It does not dictate how we view our future.

Any time the word cancer strikes the ears, one has an instant view of fatality. The word cancer can strike fear into one's heart and consume our day. But the word cancer can also realign what is important to us in life. It can cause us to let go of yesterday. It can cause us to value today.

I know of many cancer survivors and have had heart wrenching loss of others to cancer. But for all those involved, the cancer patient, the cancer spouse, the cancer children, the cancer relatives and the cancer friends; each of us gain so much from the experience of cancer.

Cancer can turn all of your life into a negative replay of regrets and disappointment. But I choose cancer to be a positive statement which reaffirms my belief in the good things our lives have. I choose to believe that my friend will overcome this cancer as they found it early. I choose to believe he will live to be an old man, rocking his grandchildren and teaching them how to fish.

9 centimeters, just a number on a chart.

Be A Tigger - Randy Pausch

In the face of impossible odds, there will be those that fall and crumble with no belief in continuing until the end. There will be those that take a more positive path and live life to its fullest. As this video reminds us, "you can spend your life complaining or spend it playing the game hard."

Randy Pausch is a person much like my mother in the sense that both have pancreatic cancer. But they are also a like in a way that both are content and positive about their condition. They are choosing to make any remaining time a good one, while fighting for a positive outcome in their individual battle against cancer.

I hope for anyone who is struggling with any of life's stones thrown your way; that you are able to take inspiration and strength from those around you.



For more on Randy Pausch, click on his link. For lots of good information and the ability to support the research to control, contain, CURE this cancer is at Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Be strong, be brave and reach out to your dreams in order to achieve them.

Live A Long Life

A fellow employee where I work sent me the following. I share it as good advice and hope when it comes to his type or any type of sickness. Think long term folks, we are not invincible...so take care of yourselves and live a long life.
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Please allow me to take a few moments of your time.

As another year has gone by, I feel it is time to once again speak up in regards to my bout with cancer some 28 years ago.

The story starts at a bowling alley of all places. I had a passion for this activity in my earlier years, bowling in multiple leagues several nights per week (not much else to do on the frozen tundra of Iowa in the winter months). On this particular evening as I released the ball I felt a pain in my groin but only passed it off as "a pinch".

I noticed some swelling over the next couple of days and as a result I made an appointment with my local physician. Little did I know at the time it was the single most important thing I could have done at that point in my first 33 years. The doctor immediately referred me to a urologist specialist, Marvin Jungling. During the first appointment the doctor looked me directly in the eye, after a short exam, and said "95% chance it is malignant and you have a 90% chance to survive because you came to see me".

I shall never forget those few words and the profound affect they had on me and my family. I was sent home to "prepare" over the weekend. On March 25, 1979 I went to surgery. The result was the removal of my right testicle; it was malignant as tested at the University Of Iowa Hospitals. I spent the next couple of days looking at the family as they came and went through blurry eyes brimming with tears at the thoughts of the possible outcome. I thought about my 4 children ages 11,8,4 & 3 and thinking what if I don’t get to see them grow up???

On the third day I said to the doctor that I would beat this thing or die trying. Marve looked at me and said; "you just beat it" the first step is the will power to fight. Over the next 8 days I started my recuperation only to find concern that the cancer could have spread to the lymph system. This put us back in surgery with what is referred to as a lumpectomy.

The doctor removed 31 lymph nodes in an 8 and one half hour surgery. The results were 3 nodes with some microscopic spots, not good news, but not as bad as your mind always thinks of. As a result after 17 days in the hospital, I went into a chemotherapy program as a precautionary procedure. I had five days of chemo the first week of the month; the plan was for this to last approximately a year.

At this point I have to say this was the low point of the whole experience. I was never so sick, or felt so helpless against a liquid that could just knock me down and render me almost helpless to the constant nausea that came along with the 15 minute IV drip.

A couple of months later a third exploratory surgery was performed on the right side. My first good news came in the form of a "no problems found". This truly signaled the turning of the corner in my quest to regain my health. First it was the "cat scan" at the 3 months, then 6 months followed by each year for the next five years. At the end of the 5 years a doctor down in Virginia looked at me and said I did not need to bother coming back for the tests anymore.

WHAT a relief, I did go back at the ten year point just for a sanity check.

Well it is now 28 years later, and I share this with all of you because; I made a promise to myself that if I could be spared I would continue to tell my story and provide any assistance I can to anyone who is going through this situation. Please, if you do not have yearly check ups and physicals make the appointment and do so starting today.

The single most important message is SELF DIAGNOSIS. If you are not familiar with how or where you should check, ask a doctor. The internet has some very good articles on how to perform these examinations, but I would ask that this be done in preparation for your visit to a physician.

I offer any assistance I can provide. If you are going through it, or know someone who maybe just needs an understanding person to talk to, do not hesitate to get them in touch with me. I will always make myself available. I want my experience and outcome to offer hope to those that may be facing some hard decisions.

Please feel free to distribute to any person or organization that can benefit from this message.
Thank you for your time

Bill Callen
EMC Corporation
Senior Manager / Symmetrix Technical Support, Level 2, US