Pat Finley's Post MCM Fundraiser for LLS

Last October, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). I was in some of the best shape of my life at the time, training to run my first marathon ever. After being diagnosed, at first, all I could think about was how my diagnosis would change my life forever and handicap me from doing all that I wanted to accomplish in life, chief among them—running a marathon. A few days went by, and I decided I decided f*** that. Cancer’s not going to stop me, and I’m going to come back and run that marathon. In fact, I want to be the fastest to complete a marathon after getting a bone marrow transplant.

As I received six rounds of intermittent chemo and a bone marrow/stem cell transplant over this past year, I used the goal to run that marathon to push myself every day to fight the cancer by getting myself back into shape. In April, I could barely stand up for longer than a minute without needing to sit back down after being in the hospital for a month and losing 25 pounds from my transplant the month before. In August, I couldn't run more than a mile because my body was still all messed up. It seemed like I would never reach the light at the end of the tunnel—my goal of completing a marathon in October, which would be one year from my diagnosis and seven months from my transplant. But I continued to push through, working out constantly, sometimes two or three times a day, because I knew my body would continue to respond. September came, and suddenly, I felt like I could push myself to longer and longer runs.

The scariest part of cancer to most people is that you have no idea how it will react. No idea whether the treatments will work or not, which depending on your attitude, can destroy your sense of hope. Well, in my view, the cancer’s already decided how hard it's going to fight. What matters is how hard you fight. There are plenty of ways to fight cancer through your own choices (exercising, sleep, diet, stress relief, relationships, and environment). Once you realize you have the power to beat cancer through your decisions, it becomes way less scary to battle.

Today, seven months after my transplant, I finished that marathon. I became the fastest to complete a marathon after a bone marrow transplant (to my knowledge from google since I'm the only one insane enough to try lol.) Finishing that race was the sweetest vengeance I could give to cancer. This accomplishment is also a huge show of thanks to those that helped me get to where I am—my parents, family, friends, doctors, nurses and my German donor. Without all of you, I would not have been able to do this. I hope that this can be an inspiration to help other people get through similar battles when they cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. The end is always there. Even if you can’t see it, you just need to keep pushing forward. The light might be just around the bend.

On another note, my sister is currently battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia for the 4th time in 4 years and just had her second stem cell transplant this past September. She had a very tough go of it from the transplant with numerous harsh side effects. Please pray for her and the continued success of her treatments. She fought cancer before me and is a big reason why I ran and was able to stay confident throughout this process.

It truly takes a village of people to beat cancer, and I was the beneficiary of so many different people's hard work and care. My sister and I have been the recipients of multiple treatments developed by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). I would like to pay it forward to the next person and raise money for LLS. We have come so far in battling this disease, but we still have much more to accomplish.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions. Tax Identification Number: 13-5644916