On May 23rd 1999, my 63rd birthday, I made a commitment to raise $100k for kidney cancer research by finishing marathons on 7 continents in memory of my brother, and best friend, John who lost his battle with kidney cancer on February 27, 1999. John was able to live for four extra years because of the kidney cancer expertise and dedication of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center staff. For more than three years I accompanied my brother John to his chemotherapy sessions at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where I witnessed the caring, skills, and dedication of his doctors and nurses.
I run worldwide marathons to raise money for kidney cancer research because in the United States 51,000 are diagnosed with kidney cancer annually and 13,000 die annually of kidney cancer – there are reportedly 200,000 alive with kidney cancer.
