October 29, 2017. The day I lost my Papa, my Poppy, my Dad. That day, a giant hole was created in my life. A hole that I, and my family, are still trying to understand.
The funny thing about grief is that it doesn't care that the entire world has turned upside down. It has no sense that you don't have your Dad to lend an ear or to share some sage advice to ease your fears. It's always there, a constant reminder of what has been lost. But you see, our family was luckier than most. My Poppy had one of the best oncology teams to support us in our journey through cancer - my father's original diagnosis was 3 to 6 months, Dr. Lorch's team at Dana Farber gave us 5 years. 5 years that were filled to the brim with life that my Papa spent with the people he loved most in this world.
Cancer, like grief, also doesn't stop; it is relentless. If you make a donation, 100% of it will go to Team Head and Neck at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. This allows them to continue their research on cutting edge therapeutics to help people just like my Poppy, so that fewer and fewer people have to endure this type of loss.
Thank you for supporting my third year participating in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. Near or far, together we are working towards a world without cancer!
"We'll all just have to keep on working and loving -- not worrying -- worry won't help me or you. It's a beautiful day, enjoy it." - Edward Baker, 2016