5 Mile Swim in July Challenge

During the month of July I will be participating in the American Cancer Society's 5 Mile Swim Challenge. I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in July of 2012, which at the time of diagnosis had spread to my retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Blood work done a week prior to surgery to remove the lymph nodes showed extremely elevated tumor markers which had previously been normal. As a result I required chemotherapy. Fortunately I was in great hands, as Dr. Einhorn developed the treatment which reversed the 5 year survival rate from 10% to 90%. I am one of the unfortunately ones who has had many long term side effects from the Cisplatin treatment. I participate in any research study I'm asked to in order to help those who might need Cisplatin therapy at some point, with the hope being the studies will decrease the long term side effects that I and many others live with.

Donations are great, but more importantly I ask that if you have a family member or friend battling cancer that you support them in any way you can. Beating cancer is truly a battle and what kept me fighting in my darkest days was the support from so many people in my life!

While putting in laps I will be thinking of all those who have battled cancer and those who are currently in a battle against it!

I also want to remind everyone to be proactive in your health! To the teenagers and men out there under age 50 - check yourselves monthly, it saved my life. To others - get your yearly mammograms and Pap smears, have a colonoscopy, and if you feel a lump or bump that doesn't feel right - get it checked!!