Catching up with Jack
One of the great things about launching this blog has been the chance to catch up with many of the people I interviewed for the book.
I first heard from Jack in February after my call for stories was published in the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s volunteer newsletter. As luck would have it, Jack lived in Ohio and was coming to my city for business reasons. He and his wife met me at restaraunt, and I was struck by their warmth and kindness.
In 2004, Jack was diagnosed with Stage IV prostrate cancer after he just retired. While in treatment, he decided to take up biking, a pasttime he enjoyed in his 20s. Now he’s using his bike to raise big bucks for cancer research. Here’s the email I received yesterday.
“I have to share something with you. I told you I ride the challenge each year in Philly and I did again this year. I actually surpassed my fund raising goal and have been invited to ride with Lance in the Ride for the Roses in Austin next month. There were 6500 participants in Philly and only 22 made the cut. I actually raised over $12,000! That puts my three-year total over $30,000.”
Jack does a lot for his community, too, visiting with other cancer survivors and speaking to schoolchildren about cancer awareness. His biking is an inspiration to others and healing for him.
“When I’m on my bike, I don’t have to think about cancer,” he says. “I don’t have to think about getting through the next day. I feel free, uninhibited. I do a lot of thinking about myself and family – not my problems. It’s a release for me.
“I have to believe that God knew that my love of cycling when I was in my 20s was what I was going to need later in my life. I think there’s a plan, and eventually He lets you know what that is.”
tamilb says:
Another one from the contact page. This one is from my friend and “personal photographer” Cathy Lyons. She took the photos of me and my family on this blog. See the link to their business on this page.
The site is beautiful!!! Congratulations on doing such a hopeful thing in a world that can be quite the opposite. Go, don’t stop~keep reaching for the stars!
By the way…I love the orange!!! YES. way cool
You inspire me Tami.
God Bless.
Jack Gray says:
For those who still deal with scanxiety, you are not alone. Yesterday I had my five year check-up and eventhough my numbers were great and I’ve been feeling terrific, I was still nervous. I don’t think that will ever go away. I also found out that instead of being able to stop at 5 years for every 6 month check-ups, it’ll have to be 10 years becasue of the aggressiveness of my cancer. I’m okay with that. I’d go every month if I had to. But it still makes one anxious every time. Hang in there and LiveStrong to all of you. And to Tami, what a great job you’re doing. You are an incredible person. God Bles You, Jack