Changing the world for a person facing a cancer diagnosis is something that pulls at the heartstrings of all of us. As such, I am proud to be recently selected as a member of the Greater DC/Baltimore Area Board of the American Cancer Society. Our focus is on access to care, providing free transportation and lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers, and finding new answers that will help every person and family affected by cancer, by funding cutting edge research.
I am reaching out today to ask you to join me in the fight against cancer. This is a fight that hits very close to home for my family and me, as my son Jake is a survivor of Testicular Cancer. Jake was diagnosed In January of this year. My wife Nancy and I were shocked and devastated to hear the news every parent dreads, “Your son has cancer.” We did not know what to do as cancer in a 16 year old 6”10 athlete was the farthest thing from our minds. We looked online and went to the ACS website to look for information. We found the answers and support we were looking for. We were able to locate the best doctor and provide the best care for Jake .This meant flying to Indianapolis, staying in a hotel and spending money to secure the best for our son. Thankfully our prayers were answered and on April 10th he got the ,” all clear” from his doctors. His access to care and our ability to fund it made a huge difference.
What we found through this process however broke our hearts. We found that many people don’t have the funds to seek the best care. They can’t afford to travel. They don’t have transportation and they even go to chemotherapy alone. I was inspired to do something about it and actively sought out this board seat to help people who can’t afford the care they need. Jake has inspired me to donate my time and resources to support the American Cancer Society, and to work toward a world where no one has to hear those words, “you have cancer”.
We need your help! Please consider joining me in the fight by clicking the "Donate Now" button and then selecting one of the following campaigns under "Select A Team Member":
~ Fight Cancer from the Fairways on October 1st. Foursomes are $7,500.
~ Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Baltimore on October 14th.
~ Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of DC on October 20th.
~ A general donation to ACS, using "Alex Berry" as the team member.
The American Cancer Society has more than $12.8 million currently invested in local research at institutions like Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, and Georgetown University. And, in 2017, the Society provided direct services to more than 6,000 cancer patients and their families.
We are seeing the results of the American Cancer Society’s research and prevention and detection services, as now 2 out of every 3 people diagnosed are now surviving. However, I know we all would like to see 3 out of every 3 people survive a diagnosis.
As a member of the Area Board, my goal is raise funds and awareness in support of the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives from cancer. Please consider joining me by making a corporate or personal donation to the cause. If you would like to discuss the Society’s work in greater detail, feel free to contact me or Tswana Sewell, the Executive Director, at Tswana.Sewell@cancer.org or 301-982-2125.
