3000 Miles: A Goal Supporting Cancer Research Breakthroughs
Mark Crafts is a technology professional in the San Francisco Bay Area. He’s been conquering Colorectal Cancer for nearly three years.
By Mark Crafts
Today is World Cancer Research Day, and that’s a very special one for me. You see, down at UCSF Cancer Center, my medical team calls me “a miracle and the future of medicine.”
I am here today because of decades of cancer research breakthroughs that have made it possible for patients like me to live with cancer. I am writing to ask for your help today because we need to keep the breakthroughs coming for millions of other patients and future patients all around the world.
Why is this so important?
Leading cancer research organizations worldwide agree that there are four major reasons everyone — that’s citizens, entities, institutions, and leaders of all fields — should unite to advance cancer research.
Taken from the World Cancer Research Day* declaration:
1. The Social Impact of Cancer - It’s estimated that by 2030 cancer will be the leading cause of death worldwide.
2. The Economic Impact of Cancer - Cancer accounts for the largest economic cost on global scale – through lost life years, lost productivity, and disabilities – compared to other causes and diseases.
3. The Importance of Cancer Research - Advancing research on causes, prevention, and early detection of cancer will lead us to controlling the disease, discovery of cures, or transforming the disease into a chronic illness.
4. Research is a Long-Distance Run - Research is continuous work that requires a commitment to the long term. It’s imperative that we not interrupt work and progress.
And, as a Stage IV Colorectal cancer survivor, I will add a fifth reason:
5. The Importance of Global Collaboration - We need the best research minds in the world working together to tackle cancer. And, when breakthroughs happen, we need to ensure those researchers and breakthroughs have strong, transparent, and accessible paths to patients in need worldwide.
3000 Miles
When I first got sick, I asked my doctors if I could keep cycling through cancer treatment. They said, “Absolutely, keep doing it as long as you feel you can!”
Well, I have been doing exactly that ever since, rolling on through numerous surgeries, radiation treatments, and chemo cycles. I have 250 miles to go between now and October 31. I will be cycling for Conquer Cancer (through my current chemo treatments - rounds #41, #42, and #43) to benefit cancer research, patients, and survivors, everywhere.
Please join me in helping advance cancer research. Donate today!