Please support me in our efforts to educate and do needed research for Colon Cancer. The funds we raise go to continued research, so we can make a difference in treating this insidious disease. I am riding my bike 1,000 miles during the month of October to raise money to fight this disease. Please join me in your own ride, run or walk by signing up to raise dollars to fight this disease!!
I am committed to the amazing work of the Colorectal Cancer Research Center of Excellence (CRCR COE) at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. The physician/researchers, led by Dr. Nilofer Azad, are revolutionizing cancer care and offering new hope to patients and families.
My Story:
Colorectal cancer is now the 2nd most common type of cancer among both men and women, most people have a 1 in 20 chance of developing colon cancer in their lifetime.
Eben was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2009, at the age of 49. “Forty years of playing goalie in ice hockey as well as competitive squash had done a number on my hips,” Eben remembers. “I was taking Aleve quite heavily for the pain.” When he eventually started bleeding, he assumed that it was due to the large amounts of the drug he was taking. Lunch with a doctor friend convinced him to go for a colonoscopy to double check.
When the results came back, he found out the unfortunate truth. A large, slow growing tumor had broken through the colon wall and he was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer. Doctors suspect the tumor had been growing for 5-10 years before causing symptoms.
Surgery was immediately scheduled to remove the tumor. Because the cancer was Stage III, he also started chemotherapy. “I had tremendous support from family, friends from all over the world. I had people who had been treated for this terrible disease reach out to me and share their stories and mentor me throughout treatment.”
Even before the cancer diagnosis, Eben rode regularly with a neighborhood cycling club. He was not the only one in the group to have been touched by colon cancer. Team captain Kevin Beverly also lost his mother to colon cancer. The group came together to support Eben and Kevin and raised money and awareness by riding in various Cancer fundraiser events.
“I remember the year of treatment and I was still undergoing treatment from the initial diagnosis. Still, I was able to ride while doing chemotherapy and having a temporary ileostomy,” recalls Eben.
While having high mileage goals, Eben says we ride mainly for the cause. “Our fundraising efforts go to an incredible research by the Johns Hopkins Colorectal Cancer Center of Excellence. That’s why we participate. We want to help people with this terrible disease.”Since our first fundraiser, we have raised more than $125,000 and both Eben and Roger have big goals for this years event.
Eben reflects on his diagnosis by saying, “I do believe that going through this experience has made me a better dad, husband and friend. We cherish each day as being special.”
