Cancer...

I will be running the 2008 NYC Marathon for cancer research and treatment. The decision to pick this as a cause to represent was not too hard for me. I have had an awareness of cancer since when I was a young child. My father is an oncology specialist in children and I remember him talking about his frustration sometimes about being able to help his young patients. Cancer has also afflicted friends and members of my family. My mother was diagnosed and successfully treated for basal cell carcinoma which is a highly treatable form of skin cancer. I have a friend whose best friend's father is suffering from pancreatic cancer. Another friend survived cancer when all odds were against her. I have one aunt that died of leukemia my senior year of college, and my mom has countless numbers of cousins, aunts and uncles that have died of or survived some kind of cancer. Most recently my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I believe some day we will defeat this disease but it will require the help of private citizens to do it. I'd like to do my part. I will be running for my friends and family who have been touched by cancer and for all of its victims.