Hello Friends,
This is my 3rd year participating in this wonderful event ! I was diagnosed on New Year's Eve 2020 with stage IV Lung Cancer. By that point, the cancer had metastasized to my brain, spine, abdomen, pelvis and the fluid surrounding my lung. My prognosis was not good - the doctor’s wouldn’t tell me a number, but I truly didn't know if I was going to make it 1 year. Everything that I did with the oncologist was 'stat' or ‘emergency’. Chemotherapy, radiation and targeted medications thankfully kept me hopeful that first year. With an extensive breadth of knowledge and resources at their disposal, the wonderful doctors at UCSD have kept me alive for 3 years and counting. I have been fortunate to be treated by cutting edge targeted therapies and extremely advanced cancer technology at Moores Cancer Center. This institution and the industry’s continuous research in lung cancer treatments have bought me invaluable time - I've been able to see my son graduate from college and enter into a masters program in regenerative medicine. He is pursuing a career in oncology to help push the needle forward for me and people that are diagnosed after me. I've been here for my daughter's experience in college and will hopefully get to see her graduate as well.
These 3 years have been a challenge but an incredible blessing. My targeted medications were only FDA approved in 2015. A hippocampus sparing procedure, helping to preserve memory and cognitive ability while undergoing whole brain radiation, was started in 2020. These discoveries have only been made possible because of generous research dollars and a commitment from dedicated scientists. Their goal is to turn cancer into a chronic disease that can be treated or cured, just like HIV or diabetes. The problem is that cancer ultimately mutates and eventually my cancer will stop responding to the medications that have been working for 3 years. I tell people I feel like I'm floating down the river of life on a lily pad. Eventually, the lily pad will sink and I need to have another lily pad to jump onto. Please help me fund the life saving research that will allow me to find this next lily pad. I am so hopeful that we can find cures in our lifetime. Here's to your health !! Joseph ~
1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer.
I am joining the effort to help accelerate cures for cancer by raising funds at Padres Pedal the Cause 2024. 100% of every dollar raised funds collaborative research among San Diego's top research institutions:
- UC San Diego Health
- Rady Children's Hospital
- Salk Institute
- Sanford Burnham Prebys
- Scripps Research
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology
With over $21 million raised to date, Padres Pedal the Cause has already funded 80+ innovative research grants in all types of cancer.
Please consider supporting me with a donation of any amount that is meaningful to you.
Thank you!