Our Goal:
To raise $1,000,000 for
research and public education
about prostate cancer.
research and public education
about prostate cancer.
| Our Goal: To raise $1,000,000 for research and public education about prostate cancer. | |
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You are Visitor # John Loesing, Project Director Dr. Terry Weyman, Founder | PROSTATE CANCER CLIMB My Story of Prostate Cancer I asked God, "How much time do I have before I die?"
As it ultimately turned out I not only had PC but it was an aggressive variant which had spread to my lymph nodes. I knew I was in serious trouble when my doctors were telling me that I had 18 months at best. I became a student of the disease determined that I was one male member of the family who was not going to die from PC. Subsequently, after prodding, my brother and son both were tested. My brother’s diagnosis was confirmed and due to an elevated PSA we are vigilantly watching my son. In spite of the prognosis my doctors offered, I was determined to prove them wrong and to seek additional advice. Now five years, many pills and much research later I consider myself to be a very fortunate individual. Prostate cancer has changed my life for the better and I am determined to spend the time I have been granted wisely and with a determination to make a difference for future generations. If we open our minds and hearts we can change not only our life but the lives of those we hold most dear as well as the lives of many we have yet to meet. Each of us has planned and dreamed of traveling with our brides through well earned care free “Golden Years.” We often feel that fate has singled us out and dealt us a losing hand of PC, from the bottom of the deck. I prefer to look at the benefits of having PC as opposed to getting hit by the proverbial bus that most who fear cancer often talk of. Most of us will die of something other than getting hit by that bus and that something just might be prostate cancer. PC gives us the opportunity to make amends with family and friends, to complete life long goals and to acknowledge to our family, our God and ourselves that we are indeed mortal. It grants us the time to express our love and admiration to our children and our affection and appreciation to our wife or partner. Most men at the time of diagnosis are going through or have gone through, what our society calls a “mid-life crisis.” We look back and say to ourselves where did the time go and had I known then what I know now, I woulda, I shoulda and I could have done things differently. I submit that we must not look back but rather we must look forward and ask ourselves, What legacy will I leave? What contribution can I make to society? We as part of western society tend to judge a man by what kind of provider he is for his wife and family and his financial success. Often a reduced value is placed on our lives because we are no longer active members of the work force. I believe acceptance of this thinking, is one of the reasons we are so complacent about poor medical care and the lack of research dollars for prostate cancer. In my opinion, it is unlikely that there will be advancements in the treatment of PC unless we the patients cause them to happen. The Climb for Prostate Cancer is an unique opportunity to make a difference. It allows men like myself to raise public awareness and to let all men struggling with prostate cancer know that their brothers, are working to make a difference. I implore all men to put forth the effort to be part of the solution, not an arm chair quarterback. To put more into the well than you withdraw! To seize the once in a life time opportunity prostate cancer has given you to help your fellow man. I challenge you to rise up out of your recliners, shut off your televisions and not just ask what can I do, but demand that you be allowed to contribute to the demise of this disease. Others of you who do not have the physical qualifications to climb Mt. Aconcagua can also help their brothers by rallying a call for political action to fund research so that your sons and grandsons will not be destine to suffer with PC. We must wage a war against cancer, just as in WWII, Korea or Vietnam. We have lost far too many Husbands, Fathers, Brothers and Sons. In the USA Forty thousand men die each and every year of PC. That’s one every 12 2 minutes. We must lead the charge and defeat the enemy. Do not sit back and mourn the loss of your youth, but rather stand tall and make use of the time that has been granted to you, so that 10 or 20 years from now your family will look upon your portrait on the mantel and glow with pride as they tell future generations about how in-spite of being diagnosed with cancer you contributed your sweat and your energy for the greater good of all. Your contribution made a difference in the lives of your brothers in-arms. Your efforts helped to defeat the enemy of PC. Your grandsons were spared this scourge because you made a difference. I pray that each of you will rise to the occasion, and that when you lay your head on your pillow for the last time you can say I am ready now. I made a difference. I made my mark. I am proud of what I did with the time granted me. Sincerely, Proceeds of the Prostate Cancer Climb will go exclusively to funding education and research. No portion of the proceeds will be designated for operating or administrative expenses. Distribution of the Hap Weyman Memorial Prostate Cancer Project Fund will be determined by the Independent Educational Research Funding Committee (IERFC). |
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In the fall of 1994 my wife nagged me into having a prostate examination (DRE) and PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test to check for cancer. The reason for her insistence was that my dad had died of prostate cancer (PC)15 years earlier and she was justifiably concerned. Although I was 54 years old and knew that I was a prime candidate for PC, I was reluctant to be tested, as most men are. I was particularly anxious because I knew something that she did not know at that time. My grandfather and all of my dad’s brothers, except those who died in WWII died of PC and subconsciously I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer to the tests.
