In November of 2012, my wife had developed breast cancer. With the reputation that Moffitt Cancer Center has, that was the only place we wanted to go.
As a tribute to her, I decided to run the Gasparilla 5K. I had some stiffness in my right side. So having felt the way I felt and what was in my mind…after Debbie just leaving Moffitt, we decided to give them a try. They told me that I had acute mylogenous leukemia.
The bone marrow transplant was probably one of the most difficult things I’ve done in my life. Emotionally, it took a big toll on me. Physically, it took a huge toll on me. But the people there were fantastic. Always with a supportive word. Always with a smile. They become your friends. They become your family.
Being a husband and being a father, foremost, is the most important thing in my life. Trying to be an example to them, is my job in this world.
I want them to know that cancer can be fought. Cancer can be defeated. I’m living proof that you can make it.