Different types of races have different measures. The Ididarod, a grueling sled dog race, is measured in near 1000 miles. Horse races are measured in furlongs, swimmers compete at varying distances of meters. On November 23rd I’ll be going 5 kilometers in my Miles for Moffitt effort.
When one is diagnosed with cancer, terms and time spans and projections and prognostics are overwhelming. The race is on to successfully route out the disease and give you hope of lasting survival. This race has a finish line of five years. “ The five year survival rate “ is one of the first commonly bandied about terms the Googling newly diagnosed cancer patient is hit by. I remember my radiological oncologist comparing my five year survival percentage likelihoods with or without treatment. That statistic surely swayed me to enduring what I must because the race was on and I wanted to make that five year finish line.
Cancer respects no man made boundaries. Statistics on outcomes bring us these 5 year percentages and by God’s grace , if you attain that longed for end point, as I was blessed beyond measure to achieve this August, it’s a gift immeasurable.
Do I feel “ safe “ from recurrence? Nobody that’s diagnosed with this disease truly ever feels “safe” again. Does it give me reason to have great hope and rejoice in God’s good grace that I have arrived at this milestone? You had better believe it!
Kings and princesses, siblings and parents , best friends and beloved partners … the greatest gift any of them can hope for if they are in this race..is reaching that hallowed finish line of five years.
Research and development of critical interventions, specialized vaccines, surgical techniques, early diagnostic capabilities and state of the art treatments…that’s what defines and sets apart the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center.
This will be my fifth live Miles for Moffitt event. In five years you all have generously and faithfully supported my efforts and brought me to the finish line carrying that greatest gift…the money dearly needed to enable these critical research efforts. Your heroic giving efforts to support cancer research, that blessed and enabled my outcome , have impacted future outcomes in the decades to come.
As always, every dollar you give goes directly to the research that is changing survival outlooks. My two longest standing best friends and my sister-in-law are now heading for that 5 year finish line. Late diagnosis precluded my sister from ever entering the race. Give the gift that only research can bring forth; early diagnostic abilities, kinder and far more tolerable surgeries and treatments and preventative measures that will preclude your loved ones from ever having to give their all to make it to this 5 year milestone.
My race will never be finished , I’ll strive to do anything I can to move the needle forward in cancer outcomes, and in supporting and encouraging those in the race to survive. Bless you all for coming along side me and bless those in your life running this race to the five year finish and beyond! May they all receive this most precious prize.
