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 the spring of 2024, I lost another neighbor to cancer. He had been an avid cyclist and support of LLS in the Napa Chapter. The last time I saw him he had the most amazing attitude about his experience and was be an inspiration to anyone. He leaned down to pet Emmie...we chatted for a bit about bikes, cycling and our mutual distain for cancer. And, then, a few weeks later he was gone.
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!
UPDATE 2026: After many treatments and a successful trial -Sylvia's cancer is in remission and she is training living her best life...
TIM
You may remember my friend Tim's story from 2024. It was Tim who inspired me to do my first Lavaman in 2023. He was facing a bone marrow transplant after suddenly being diagnosed with a version of blood cancer. He had managed his blood cancer for decades and then things changed in an instant and we lost him in early 2024. I shall always remember Tim's smile and gentle ways.
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
