Tuesday, September 06, 2011

I Want a Cure

I totally forgot to mention that Morty did his third bike ride for curing cancer.

Pelotonia is a fundraiser from Ohio State University's James Cancer Center that gives 100% of it's proceeds to helping cure cancer.

There are a number of rides on can do in length of time and distance, but Morty does the longest:  two days and about 160 miles.  I'm always impressed by his high endurance races, be it marathon, triathlon or Iron Man.  I'm even more impressed when he does it for charity.

Pelotonia took place a few weeks ago and raised almost $9.4MM.  Not too shabby.

Morty's note after the fact had some great and touching anecdotes of this two days.  He did the ride for any number of people he knows who has or has had cancer.  Myself included.

I donate because it is the right thing to do and I know I couldn't make that ride.  I donate because I believe in Morty and what he is doing.  I donate because I was treated at the facility that would eventually become the James. Trifecta!!!!

Like Morty, I have known so many people who have had the big C over the years and it can be devastating.  But I love that there is hope.

There used to be a time that anyone you heard who had it eventually lost their battle.  I am happy to say that is no longer the case.

My father, three of my sisters and myself - I know! Right? - all survived their bouts.  Some of us had more severe forms or prognosis than the others.  I don't knock their having to deal with cancerous moles and skin that needed to be removed, I have seen that deteriorate to horrible things.

But I am ok to report that some of us come through with success - even if it is a harder road.  It makes us who we are and potentially gives hope to others.   I say this specifically for a blogger friend who is going through her own challenge as we speak.  She is the kind of person who will conquer.

So - is there a cure?  For some forms of the disease and in some people, sure.  That might not seem like a lot, but it is all we have.  And it is more than we had even 20 years ago.

And with people like Morty, hopefully in the near future, even more success.  So I wanted to publicaly thank Morty and all his peeps for their participation in all of this. They didn't save my life, but someone before them did and they will do it for someone else. 



Song by:  Rosanne Cash

7 comments:

anne marie in philly said...

damn right, says this 22 year survivor (on her 57th birthday today). having a fatal illness changes you, makes you more aware, helps you to grow. and you decide you ain't gonna take no more shit from anyone!

thanks, morty; I salute your efforts too!

Morty said...

What a touching post, Blob. You survivors have the tough part - all I had to do was pedal.

don said...

The world needs more Mortys.

Greg said...

I agree with don. Many thanks to people like Morty who help raise the money for finding cures to all types of diseases and illnesses. And to those who donate, too.

Birdie said...

Thank you, Blobby and Morty, for the hope you bring to all of us. Hope is what gives life meaning.

BosGuy said...

Excellent post and I'm right there with you. I want to live to see Cancer wiped from this planet.

In the interim, I'd settle for better treatments for those who are afflicted with one of the many forms of cancer.

BosGuy

Ur-spo said...

it was touching, yes.