March 16, 2017. The date forever changed my family's life. My father was diagnosed with stage 4 Sarcoma after doctors found a malignant tumor growing in his heart. With an incidence rate of less than 1% of cancer patients, doctors underwent extensive testing.
The cancer had spread from his heart down to his colon, far too late for surgery or radiation. Doctors advised us that the best form of treatment would be chemotherapy, but even that was uncertain.
The testing continued through each cycle of chemotherapy, requiring full days in hospital rooms, not knowing if the treatment would be effective. A couple of months into treatment, we received the first test result-- the tumor had shrunk!!
He continued chemotherapy, prolonging the fight and giving our family the gift of time. We cherished each moment together and became thankful for each passing day.
After some time, we were informed that my father had reached the maximum amount of chemotherapy and we would have to proceed with an alternative forms of treatment. In this case with Sarcoma, the tested results were even less promising. We began to realize that although cancer research has come far, there are still many forms of cancer that are in desperate need for additional research and testing.
My father continued to fight for months on end, experimenting with various methods of treatment. However, on January 31st, 2018, my father surrendered his fight against cancer. He died peacefully in his own bed.
In his dedication, I will be raising money for the Sarcoma Foundation of America and competing in the Half Moon Bay Olympic Triathlon on April 22nd - 1.5K Swim - 40k Bike - 10k Run.
The mission of the Sarcoma Foundation of America is to advocate for sarcoma patients by funding research and by increasing awareness about the disease. The organization raises money to privately fund grants for sarcoma researchers and conducts education and advocacy efforts on behalf of sarcoma patients.
Please donate and SHARE to help find a cure for cancer! Thank you.
