Every new year I imagine a world without cancer. And yet, every year I come back to raise more money to fight it. I know I'm not alone when I say I HATE CANCER. In late 2023 I lost a dear neighbor to AML. He fought the good fight and participated in many treatments and trials funded in part by LLS and was able to spend several more years with his family & friends. He was brave and he is a hero.
I have several other friends who have recently been diagnosed and/or are still in treatment. They are all heroes to me and it is for them that I dedicate my efforts again in 2025.
My Lavaman Teammate and friend Sylvia has give me permission to share her story...
"I truly believe I would have died if I hadn’t been given a chance at the life-saving treatment known as CAR-T Cell Therapy. When I was first told I was too old for it—at 81 years old—I felt a wave of uncertainty. But just a month later, my chief doctor, Dr. Tanya Wahl, MD, the Medical Director at the Swedish Hospital Cancer Institute, reviewed my medical situation with other oncologists and hematologists. She made the bold decision to take me on as one of her patients, despite the standard cutoff being 70 years old. The reason for her decision? I wasn’t your typical 81-year-old. I was—and still am—a healthy triathlete, continuing to train and race.
It was clear to Dr. Wahl and the team that my excellent physical health, built from a lifetime of taking care of myself, was my biggest asset in this fight. They were taking a chance, but I’ve always been committed to staying fit, and that commitment has paid off in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
The process, however, is far from easy. I’d already gone through 6 months of chemotherapy and 2 weeks of radiation therapy before being accepted for CAR-T. Since starting the CAR-T treatment over a month ago, I still have 4 to 5 more months ahead of me. It’s a 5 to 6 month journey in total, and there’s a long, challenging road to travel.
But I remain hopeful. If all goes well, I’ll get through to the other side, where I can return to the training and racing I love—though that is still uncertain. What I do know is this: I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and I will continue fighting every step of the way."
I look forward to racing again with Sylvia...but until then, GO TEAM!
DAD
Dad was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (head/neck cancer) in 2008. Luckily, a new treatment had just been developed, and he was able to benefit from it. Then, in 2015, he was diagnosed with MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome); at that time, there were only a few treatment options, but one, amazingly, worked for him. However, in December 2021, that treatment stopped working, and there could have been dire consequences. Happily, though, because of research supported by our fundraising efforts, there now are new treatments, and one of them is working well!
KAY
Most of you know Kay's story, as she has been my guiding force, and my inspiration to continue to raise $$ to fund a cure. Kay has been gone now for 12 years, and I continue to ride in her memory. I know that she is somewhere cheering me as I can still her voice telling me to "Be Brave."
BETHANY
LINDA
