Each of us has lost friends and family close to us by the scourge of cancer. I lost my sister Marguerite "J.G." Varner in 2003, and in just this last year: my high-school buddy Bruce Lauterwasser, my sister-in-law Colleen Spencer Henderson, and fellow Dana-Farber patient and friend Stacee Smith. These wonderful lives -- and so many others -- inspire me to inspire you to support effective research and treatment to end this terrible theft of life.
I am thoroughly impressed with what the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute gives to our community and the world: high quality, compassionate cancer care and practical, cutting-edge scientific research. I've seen it first-hand, as a patient in a clinical trial that cured my cancer and paved the way for improved treatment for others. And I've seen it in my conversations with every other patient I've met there. (Through Stacee's remarkable example, I've reached out and met many.)
So of course I'm walking to raise funds to support this amazing organization. I hope you'll join me in supporting DFCI and thus being part of its success. Not everyone needs a medical degree to conquer cancer.
On behalf of so many patients -- children and adults -- and their families, thanks for your support.
