As many of you know, on August 14, 2006 I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. On that day, I became not a cancer victim, but a cancer survivor. I get to live my life today as the result of a lot of people, including a great many here.
When I was first diagnosed, I was afraid, unsure, wondering what was going to happen to me. I realized quickly that knowledge is power, and I went to sites like the
American Cancer Society, The
Testicular Cancer Research Center, and the
National Cancer Institute. But the place I turned to first was the one that was most obvious for a cyclist with testicular cancer:
The Lance Armstrong Foundation.
The LAF gave me a guide to tracking my cancer (
FREE HERE!), resources, answers to my questions, and most importantly, immediate hope that I was a survivor. I realized I probably wouldn't win the Tour de France and I'm in love with Mrs. Fish so dating a rock star was out, but the hope that I could survive cancer was my light.
I fought cancer with everything I had, with the love and strength of my family (including my JP FAmily), the devotion of my friends, the knowledge of my doctors and their staffs, and the experiences of the millions who have gone before me with this disease. My hope, my prayer is that one day we can live in a world without cancer. People ask where the money in cancer research has gone: less than 30 years ago, the testicular cancer I had was a death sentence. Now, because of research and science, there is a 95% survival rate.
That's why I have become a Team Captain for the LiveSTRONG Challenge in Philadelphia, this year.
Team Fish or Cut Bait is riding out of Philadelphia on August 26th, a shade over one year from the day I became a cancer survivor. I would love it if you would become part of Team Fish or Cut Bait. There are several ways you can do this.
First, you can ride WITH us. There are rides ranging from 10 miles to 100 miles, with options in between. You can go to my team page and join up at the top of the page. I know there's a bunch of guys that are kind of local, and I would
LOVE IT if you could join me in Philadelphia on that day!
Second, you can walk/run 5k as part of
Team Fish or Cut Bait. Not everybody can ride 10 miles, so the LAF has a (family) walk option. Again, go to the Team Fish registration page to sign up as part of my team for the walk.
Third, you can support Team Fish or Cut Bait by making a donation. There is an option, when you make a donation, to do so in someone's honor or memory. It would be my honor to ride in the name of someone you love.
Thank you, ALWAYS, for the kindness, love and support you have always shown me. I have learned so much from my cancer experience. This is the one that occurs to me now: Find the courage you need to face your challenges, the strength you need to overcome them, and the dignity to do it with grace.
5,000...My Next Big Challenge
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