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In 2007 my mom’s life was flipped upside down when she received a stage 4 leukemia diagnosis. Cancer is one of those things you never think will happen to yourself or someone you know. It’s one of those things you only read about or see on TV. Turns out that’s not true. When the news dropped our heads were spinning. The confusion, anger, sadness. Emotions were spiraling as we tried to figure out the next steps. Time seemed to move at the speed of light but in slow motion at the same time.
My mom was admitted to Roswell Park shortly thereafter under the care of the now late Dr. Wetzler. Where he lacked bedside manner, he made up for in dry humor and a deep knowledge none of us could begin to comprehend. A few months after diagnosis a bone marrow transplant donor was located in Michigan; all we knew was it was a young girl in her 20s and any better match would have been an identical twin. Thankfully the transplant took and my mom found herself in remission!! I’m forever grateful to the donor, Dr. Wetzler, and the staff at Roswell park because 16 years later my mom is still going strong.
Flash forward to 3 years ago, my Dad became a patient at Roswell Park when precancerous cells were found in his pancreas. Fears spiked again, tossing me into PTSD mode. But I had to remind myself that discovering pancreatic cancer THAT early is unheard of. I'm forever grateful for the care he was put in at Roswell Park, and I’m happy to say both my parents are survivors.
This March, I'll be turning up the heat and challenging myself on stage at Buffalo's coldest cycling event of the season — all to raise critically needed funds for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
One in three Americans will develop cancer in their lifetime. Will you join me in making a difference by donating to my IceCycle fundraiser?
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