Why participate in Run for the Reason? - Greg

Why do I do this? It's a two part answer.

The first being my mother-in-law found out about 3 years ago she had colon cancer. At first, she had been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and was being treated for it. Over time, her symptoms would get better and then worsen. Several months later it had gotten to the point that it was just so unbearable, something else had to be done for her. My wife and sister-in-law insisted she seek another opinion. So they made her an appointment to see an oncologist. After running some tests, he gave us the news, she had colon cancer.

He recommended surgery to remove the mass he found. After the surgery was over, he came to see the family and informed us that he unfortunately had to remove 2 to 3 feet of her colon. That was the good news. The bad news was that he also found 2 spots of cancer on her liver. He asked her to see if she was candidate for a new type surgery called "cyber knife surgery", but she was not. She has been on medication for 2 years since which has helped to get rid of the smaller cancer spot. The larger spot seems to be somewhat tougher. It has grown to about the size of a dime. She is a very sweet person and a devout Christian. Most of the time, She is very cheerful and there is no doubt she is well liked by all who meet her. "Gran" as she is called by all the grandkids and great grandkids, is truly a blessing to us all. As she will tell you, it’s by the Grace of God and by His Hand she is still here today.

As for the other reason, my brother's wife who just a little over a year ago turned 36, she on a routine checkup found out she had breast cancer. They have six kids, ranging from 3 to 23. Their oldest is in graduate school with my youngest son at Troy University. The diagnosis was a very devastating for all of us, because the 5 other children are so young.

She went through the whole gamut of chemo and radiation, and subsequently, she was a very sick young lady for several months. She had to have surgery and reconstructive surgery, and if it wasn't for being in such a loving church, I really don't know how we all would have made it through this. The whole church really went above and beyond what they need to do. Kim has now recovered very well and is doing great.

You never know when or who cancer will attack next. I was very young and have little memory of my grandfather Deavers, but my Dad told me he died from lung cancer. It seems that every time we are at church someone else has gotten this awful disease. We really need to find a cure, and that's why I do all I can to help. It's well worth the effort.

Greg