Empire State Ride 2022: Dr. David H. Brown

With Tom in March 2021

Why would someone choose to ride a bike 550 miles across New York State? I, like so many others, have many reasons. Far too many. This is so much more than just a bike ride. This year is my seventh year participating in the Empire State Ride, and this year it is especially personal.

I am a thirty-six year survivor of oral cancer. After fifteen years of no disease, cancer reared its ugly head once again in November of 2019, resulting in my sixth surgery in January of 2020. I was diagnosed with moderately well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the left lateral tongue at the age of 30, with none of the typical risk factors. Six surgeries later, and seven and a half weeks of IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) later, I am now 66, with a very different perspective on life, and on what things are truly important to me. I am so very, very fortunate to still be here.

I have spent many hours in head and neck waiting rooms over the years, waiting to be called back into the exam room. While admittedly on the outside looking in, I cannot help but notice what other head and neck cancer patients appear to be dealing with, particularly quality of life issues. This also helps me realize how fortunate I am.

Way back before my oral cancer journey began, if anyone had mentioned to me the phrase “the gift of cancer,” it would not have made any sense. Pretty counter-intuitive, right? I hope that you will read on.

I am sure that none of us would ever wish a cancer diagnosis upon anyone. But I am also sure that if you receive a cancer diagnosis, and IF you are fortunate enough to emerge on the other end as a cancer survivor (huge if), and finally, if you allow yourself to realize that a cancer diagnosis can in fact bring gifts along with it, there is in fact “the gift of cancer.” I know without question that cancer has enriched my life in ways I never would have dreamed possible.

2020 was a difficult enough year with the global pandemic and my cancer surgery. To make matters worse, however, my sister Donna lost her brave battle in May of 2020 to a skull base meningioma which was diagnosed in late 2013. I rode last year in her memory. 2021 was no better. My very close friend from Dental School, Dr. Tom Gibbs, lost his brave battle with pancreatic cancer in May of 2021. Tom was the type of person who would light up a room. He was smart, selfless, a great classmate, a great dentist, and funny. Did I mention funny? He had a tremendous sense of humor. He was best man at my wedding. Along with his wife Linda and my wife Beth, we made many great memories over the years. He made the world a better place, and is greatly missed. The Empire State Ride is a ride that Tom had really hoped to participate in. He will be with me for every one of the 550 miles. I am riding in his memory this year.

With your generous support over the years, I was able to raise more than $25,000 last year in the fight against cancer. I am very proud to say that thanks to all of you, I have now raised more than $250,000 for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Everyone knows someone whose life has been affected by cancer, and this is our opportunity to change the state of cancer research for good. Together, we can fuel groundbreaking discoveries, find cancer cures and save lives.

Please consider making a donation today. No donation is too small, and every dollar adds up to something greater than any one of us could accomplish alone. The link to my personal page is:

http://give.roswellpark.org/goto/David_Brown_ESR

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