Hey, it's Tom from the Pat and Tom show. Thanks for checking out this link. I hope you're able to donate but even if you're not, just the fact that you took the time to look a little closer at what's going on means you care and that's appreciated.
As I've explained in my blog, I'm inspired to do this run July 3rd by a buddy I've known since third grade. Doug Beaulieu is genuinely one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He's also one of the funniest guys I've ever known. From getting in trouble with our band teacher in 5th grade for laughing when we were supposed to be learning "Synchopated Clock" (he called it "Constipated Clock"--which still makes me chuckle) to getting together now once or twice a year with our families when we go home to visit, he and I share one of those uncommon bonds that can only come from knowing somebody essentially all of your life. It's a friendship I cherish. When we found out he had been hit with pancreatic cancer last fall, it was a bolt out of the blue. He's one of the healthiest guys I know and a long-time runner. So it made no sense. But, as we have since found out, pancreatic cancer often makes no sense. Because of his love for running, I decided to run a marathon last May in our hometown in honor of him. I am no fan of running but, if he could go through chemo and all that, I figured it was the least I could do. Then, three days before, I got a hideous chest cold thing and had to cancel, which completely sucked.
That's when Pat made the suggestion that I do the run anyway. To stay motivated, he suggested I should do it on the air, and for a charitable cause. Great idea! So I contacted Doug and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network was what he suggested, since it has helped him out quite a bit.
I'm happy to say that Doug's prognosis is good. Very good, considering this type of cancer, of which very little is still known. The chemo has been effective and it helps that in addition to be being a pretty funny guy, he's also a tough little bugger--a football player in high school who made all-league defensive back despite being about eye level with, say, Kenny Chesney.
So, that's the story. Thanks for reading it. If you do nothing else, I hope you take away a little more awareness about Pancreatic Cancer and it's insidious nature. About the same amount is known of this type of cancer as was known about breast cancer in the 1930s. So, awareness is vitally important because one way or another it will lead to more research, which will lead to better treatment and ultimately, a cure.
Thanks again and wish me luck. I'm gonna need it!!
Tom