| For those of you who do not know me personally, my name is Matt Carrera and for the past year, I have been training to run in the 2011 Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando, FL on January 9, 2011. I had made it a point once I decided to run my first marathon that I would do it for a reason. I wanted to make some sort of difference. I looked into various charities to find one I was ready to run for. It seems as if one found me.
On June 2, 2010, my father Jeff was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the cecum, with neuroendocrine markers. This, as the doctor put it, is a very dangerous cancer because little is currently known of the efficacy of treatment through chemotherapy, In other words, it is not very predictable.
My father is a selfless person, giving his all to make lives around his easier. No matter what the circumstance, he has been there, for his family and friends, without any desire for recognition or reward. This was a crushing diagnosis for our family, afflicting someone who we were certain was above illness. This was our Superman we were talking about.
Cancer is something that is assumed to affect those distant to you. It seemingly can never hit close to home, that is, until it does. Questions are asked, the inevitable how's and why's; all of these questions mean nothing once one comes to the realization that the past is done and the future is staring you in the face. Dad's chemo is upcoming and he's ready for it. His doctors are confident and positive given his strong health and lack of symptoms, though current knowledge of his particular hybrid of cancer, and treatment options are again uncertain. This will not be an easy road, but then again, neither will 26.2 miles. That's where you can help!
Running the Disney Marathon in January to raise awareness for early prevention of colon cancer for those at risk for the disease is the least I can do to represent the struggles my father will be going through during his battle and, in my heart, sure victory. The money I raise during my training leading up to the race (and even during the race itself) will hopefully play a small part in helping to fund research, which will soon identify the cause and treatment of this increasingly common form of cancer.
I hope that you will join me in raising money that the Colon Cancer Coalition needs to further the knowledge of the disease, in hopes for an eventual cure. Early prevention is the key, and that knowledge must be made increasingly available to the at-risk public, and individuals in general.
For more information, please visit the Colon Cancer Coalition home page |
