Today is about one number.... zero

 The morning of Father's Day, Sunday, June 21, 2015, was a very emotional and solemn, yet jovial, time for me. Since January 15, I had tirelessly devoted the majority of my waking hours (and plenty of non-waking hours as well) and energy to what would culminate in this one morning.

As my favorite guy drove us to Arlington at 7 a.m., I sat in the back seat of the fire truck (come on, it's a big red Silverado) with a subdued attitude but my mind racing a mile a minute.

Today was the ZERO 2015 Capital Area Run/Walk.

 We parked the truck and walked a few blocks to get to the courtyard where all the festivities would take place and where I would meet up with my team, Denny's Shotgun Riders.

Walking in silence and trying to remember to breathe, I saw my parents slightly ahead of me, walking hand in hand, and my heart skipped a beat.

That right there.

The 66 year-old lovebirds still holding hands after all these years.

That is what makes all of this worth while.

ZERO is about keeping families together.

Personally, I joined ZERO to help keep MY family together.

My family.

My two parents and myself (and Prowler, of course)

That's my family.

My first goal of the day was to get my team together for the first time (minus my sweet Gloria who was with my SC family contingent). I could not have asked for a better group of human beings to spend this morning with and to walk in honor of my dad. Words cannot express how much each and every one of them means to me.

Denny's Shotgun Riders consisted of five runners, four walkers, a prostate cancer warrior and the best mom/caregiver/wife ever put on the face of this earth.

 To my delight, Denny's Shotgun Riders was also graced with a Superkid!

Though storms ravaged our area the night before and lightning even struck my home, God graced us with a beautiful sunlit sky and cool breeze that morning.

Julie and Colony of ZERO had quickly become our fast friends and on this day, I truly believe we were officially united as one family.

Jimmy Charles started us off with his song, Superman, and as my grandmother's light shined down on us, my heart filled up and the tears flowed.
It all hit me. This is real. We are here because my Dad has cancer.
We are here because it is Father's Day and we're honoring my Dad by showing him yet again he is not alone in this battle. 

It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do

Swallow my pride, face the truth

Go through hell, feel the fear

Praise the Lord that I'm still here

And I still got more miles here on this road

And now I'm here to help you all to understand....

that you can't fight this battle on your own.

You ain't Superman.

After the song, we all released balloons, for all those affected by this coward of a disease.

Then it was time to run four miles!

Or.....do the rational thing in my mind, and WALK four miles with these three wonderful friends while carrying our team banner!

"Denny's Shotgun Riders

Proudly wearing light blue for Denny!"

Jeff" Lighting Rod" Stamp, Brian and Melissa were ready to take off!

Mom and Dad were proudly seeing us off at the start and playing photographer! 

I knew I had earned a lawn sign along the route but wasn't sure where it would be placed.
I happened to look to the right not long after we started our walk and there it was! 


As we were walking the first two miles, I was able to catch Jason.....

 and then Melissa and Brian as they were already running back the last two miles.

Jeff and Jason were the first of our team to finish the race.
 Then Jeff, Brian and Melissa came to join us and bring home the banner and our love for Dad together through the finish line!

We did it!
Whether we ran, we walked or we were the team cheerleaders, we did it.
We were united for Denny.

A few weeks prior, I had been asked by ZERO if I would be willing to speak at the race - to tell my and Dad's story.  I was humbled and honored to do such a thing. I am not a procrastinator by any means but for some reason this speech was the hardest for me to prepare. I took on my "Let's Talk Live!" interview a week prior with no prep at all and came through with flying colors. However, speaking at the race in front of survivors, caregivers, families who had lost men to this disease was a whole different story. This meant something.

Two days before the race, I started to put words together and came up with a good two-page, five-minute write-up. I figured I'd pair it down and get to basics on Saturday. Well, that didn't happen and Sunday morning at 6 a.m. I was tweaking my speech. It still didn't feel right and I was not feeling good about it. I printed it out, folded it up and threw it in my bag.

As the morning went on and I saw more and more people with "in memory of" signs, I knew that reading a five-minute speech wasn't going to be the right thing to do. No one wanted to stand there, hot and sweaty, after running four miles and listen to some girl talk about how her dad had cancer for the fifth time.  So I did something, I have never done before.

I scrapped the speech and went with my gut.

I needed to be me and this needed to be real and come from my heart.

I was truly in awe of all the people who had shown up that morning. As I spoke about my Dad's early diagnosis, how important early detection is, and all that he has endured, I instantly started to feel a bit selfish.  The majority of the people who I saw standing out there listening intently to me were daughters and wives who had lost their fathers and husbands to prostate cancer. 

I suddenly felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

Why?

Because my father, who is battling prostate cancer for the fifth and worst time, is right there with his eyes fixed on me. He is here. He is alive. He is witnessing every bit of this moment. I am beyond ecstatic that I am doing this race while my father is still here and can be part of it. Others who were there were racing in memory of someone. I can't even imagine how that feels.

I have said so many times through this fundraising and awareness effort that this is not about me. This is about Dad.

Well, right then as I was speaking and looking into the eyes of these people, I saw Sandra Ham with tears rolling down her face. I had never met Sandra but I knew who she was because for about two weeks she surpassed me as the top fundraiser for this event. I learned from her fundraising page that she had formed a team in memory of her husband, Gordon. As I pointed out my dad to the crowd I saw Sandra turn around and they hugged.

It was then that Sandra Ham and Tara Nikituk joined me on the stage.

We were the top three individual fundraisers and top team fundraisers.

The three of us - women - were here fighting for an end to prostate cancer.

I was the lucky one.

Not because I was the top fundraiser. Not because my team was the top fundraising team.

But because I was doing all of this and still had my prostate cancer survivor.

Sandra and Tara had lost theirs.

This isn't about me. It never has been and never will be.

This isn't about me being the top individual fundraiser.

This isn't about my team being the top fundraising team. 

This is about my dad.

This is about Mr. Ham.

This is about Mr. Nikituk.

This is about bringing awareness to prostate cancer.

This is about promoting the importance of early detection.

This is about encouraging men to take control of their bodies and health.

This is about giving a voice to, and honoring, all of those men who have been affected, who are battling this disease, who unfortunately have lost their lives to this disease and for those who haven’t even been diagnosed yet.  

This is about raising money for a cure so that one day NO man will have to go through what my dad and all these other men have had to endure.  

This is about strong women supporting and loving their men.

This is about letting my dad and all men who are batting prostate cancer know

that they NEVER have to fight alone!  

This is about one number…. ZERO!

Zero pain and suffering

Zero psa levels

Zero prostate cancer!

The faces of prostate cancer - the men for whom I walked

Prostate cancer is the second leading death of cancer among men. 240,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and 30,000 others lose their lives. Odds are that you know someone who has had prostate cancer, is battling the disease right now or has unfortunately succumbed to the disease. If you haven't been touched by prostate cancer, congratulations, but odds are, unfortunately, you WILL know someone in your lifetime. 

Having a 19-year prostate cancer survivor as my father, I know more about this disease than I ever would have imagined. I am by no means an expert, but I know what works and doesn't work in Dad's case and I have been and always will be his advocate.

Men don't want to talk about their health. They definitely don't want to talk about prostate cancer. In fact, for some reason they think there is some sort of taboo surrounding it which doesn't make any sense to me. By joining forces with ZERO, I want to promote awareness. I don't want men to be embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their prostate cancer diagnosis and I definitely want to encourage every man to be proactive and responsible for their health! Men, if you're over 40, demand a PSA test when you have your annual checkup/physical. Women, encourage your men!! We all know early detection is key with breast cancer and early detection is just as important with prostate cancer!!

I must admit I love men! (Of course, there are ones that I may not be too fond of, but in general, I love men.)  Men can be stubborn but hopefully they have women, like me, who care about them, will stand up for them, convince/urge them to do what is right and encourage them to be responsible for their own lives and health! A simple blood test could save your life, gentleman! So what's the big deal? Are you scared? Are you nervous? Totally understandable but wouldn't you rather know that you have prostate cancer and be able to get rid of it than blow off a simple blood test and find out years later that it's too late? Yeah, that's what I thought. Early detection is HUGE!

Society has long believed and portrayed prostate cancer as an "old man's disease". That couldn't be farther from the truth. Prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer which I believe is a reason why older men are the ones who are typically diagnosed. It's good that it's a slow-growing cancer, but isn't that even more reason to find out ahead of time so that you can work to stop it immediately?

I'll now get off my soapbox (but only for the rest of this post) and would like to introduce you to a few men. In addition to the most important man in my life, my dad, I also walked in honor/memory of the following men on Father's Day when I led my team, Denny's Shotgun Riders, in the 8th Annual ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk.

Willie L. Sitton, “Poppy”, “Uncle Bill”

Poppy is the father of my dear friend, Gloria, and my South Carolina Daddy. The first time I met him, we instantly connected and I knew this was a genuine, loving and special man with which I was conversing - the epitome of a downhome, traditional, Southern gentleman.


In November 2014, at the age of 81, Poppy was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  He was diagnosed during a routine checkup in which his PSA had risen significantly since his prior checkup.  An MRI was then conducted and cancer was confirmed. The tumor was so small that Poppy's doctor recommended intense radiation for a month and a half instead of surgery, which at his age would have been more dangerous than the cancer itself.

After deciding to take prostate cancer head on, I am proud to say that on May 19, 2015, Poppy had his last radiation treatment and rang the bell at the finish line! Poppy is a perfect example of how routine checkups are important and early detection is key!  He is continuing with hormone therapy and is on medicine for nausea and another to relax the prostate area. Poppy is an example of how we should never give up!

"The race is not a sprint. It's a marathon! Keep going!"

Farrell Thomas

 

 

In 2013, Farrell, my friend Gloria's cousin by marriage and part of my South Carolina family, was diagnosed at the young age of 42 with a PSA of 5. (For a point of reference, my dad was diagnosed at the age of 47 with a PSA of 26.)  His doctor told him he had not seen many men as young as he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Farrell had robotic surgery to remove the prostate and his PSA has been 0 ever since! He is a perfect example of how prostate cancer can affect any man - regardless of age - and how early detection is key! Farrell continues to have PSA tests every six months and is thankful to God for his recovery and for the support of his incredible wife, Gina.

Tony Wilson

I met Tony when he was 36 years old and I was 23.  Tony was full of life, athletic and a devoted father of two young boys. Tony was part of my everyday life when my dad was initially diagnosed with prostate cancer. 

About a year after we met, Tony moved to Colorado and while we kept in a touch for a while, it wasn't long before life got in the way and we lost touch for many years.  Two years ago, our paths crossed again and I was shocked and sad to hear that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in October of 2011 at the age of 51. At the time of diagnosis, Tony was only four years older than my dad at his time of diagnosis and my heart shuddered to think that he had gone through this battle at such a young age and alone.
 
When Tony was diagnosed, his PSA was 46! He endured hormone therapy and Cyberknife radiation treatments - five directly to the prostate and 23 to the surrounding lymph nodes. His treatment was completed in March 2012 and his current PSA is 0.28. He's physically doing well, is appreciative of every day that the Lord has given him and wholeheartedly believes in the power of prayer.
 
Tony also has three things he feels are very important that he wants to share with all men:
 
1. Early Prevention - guys should start being tested at 40, especially if prostate cancer is in your family history.
 
2. If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, do something immediately. Do NOT wait!
 
3. Make sure your family supports you in your decision, including what type of treatment you choose. It's a very depressing disease for a man to go through, both physically and emotionally. Support is monumental.
 

 
Glenn Poe

Natalie, Glenn's daughter, was happy to share his story with me. Glenn was diagnosed in 1992 at the age of 54. His prostate cancer was diagnosed through a routine checkup and he had a PSA of 4.5.

Glenn was told that if his cancer was inoperable he had five to six years to live and if it was operable he had 10 to 12 years to live.  Glenn has surpassed the doctor's expectations because he is now 77 years old!

He endured radiation and surgery in which his urologist said the cancer was well contained and he was able to "get it all".  Twenty-three years later, Glenn is still cancer free and continues to have a PSA of 0.1! He has always had an unshakeable fear of the 10-12 year survival comment and while now feeling physically healthy, he remains heartbroken over the loss of his amazing wife to ovarian cancer in December 2012. 

Natalie attributes her father's survival to early detection which yielded great results!

Lou Manne

Lou, my friend Adam's dad, was diagnosed at the age of 80 by way of a routine blood test during his annual physical.  Lou endured radiation and chemotherapy with his last treatment being in December 2014. A native, New Yorker, Lou now enjoys life between living in Las Vegas and Bali, Indonesia. Once he got a clean bill of health in the U.S., he couldn't wait to go back to Bali and enjoy the good life again! I can't blame him! He will continue follow up appointments and routine PSAs when he returns to Vegas.

 Gary Pugh

I've known Gary for the majority of my life. I grew up with

his daughter, Kari, and his son, Casey. Their mother, Sheila, was my mom's best friend and my "second mom" until we unfortunately lost her in November 2003. 

 

In 2013, Gary's PSA slowly started to increase but was still only at a 2.5. His doctor suggested Gary see a urologist when it was at 4.5 at which time a biopsy was conducted. In September 2014, Gary was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 67. In February 2015, he opted to have surgery to remove the prostate to hopefully eliminate the risk of his cancer returning.

Ironically, his urologist is the protégé of my dad's urologist who diagnosed him back in 1997. Gary is in great hands because Dr. Desai is a mini me of Dr. Lou and extremely proactive! Another example how early detection and a proactive doctor is key!

Bill

In 2003, at the age of 71, Bill's PSA was a 5 and had symptoms of problematic urination. His doctor recommended a biopsy which confirmed prostate cancer and that same year Bill had a radical prostatectomy. In 2004, Bill's PSA started to increase again. A small spot was found and he went through radiation. I'm happy to say he has been cancer free ever since with a PSA of 0.1.

 

 

Clarence R. Moore

 

Clarence is my dad's grandfather who was diagnosed in the 1960s with prostate cancer had cobalt radiation treatment because it was the only option at that point in time. He was a master electrician and died in 1968. I, unfortunately, was not able to meet my great grandfather who my dad remembers fondly. I feel he passed on many of his genuine traits to his great grandson.

Art Campbell

I never got the pleasure of meeting Art, but I often feel as if I know him through his son. Art was diagnosed with prostate cancer with a PSA in the single digits but it slowly increased over time. After radiation and chemotherapy, it eventually metastasized to the bone and caused much pain in the pelvic area and broken bones.  At the age of 83, Art lost his battle as a result of prostate-cancer related complications.







The following are additional men who have been affected by prostate cancer for whom I vowed to walk. Unfortunately, I have not been given photos or stories but will share what I know.

• Avery Williams - survivor
• the father of my cousin, Gail Moore
• the father of my friend, Nancy Kotney
• the father of my friend, Paula Calvin
• Robert Pearles, the grandfather of Kerri Beroza (Certified Specialist of Wine, Ingleside Vineyards)
• Ron Klebacher, father of my friend, Honora Klebacher - survivor of prostate (and colon) cancer
• the father of Laura Brletic (owner of Confections Cupcakery)

Through me, these men will never be forgotten and they will continue to have a voice.

Nats tickets for a great cause!

I am proud to announce that my friend, Dan, has graciously offered up his pair of Washington Nationals baseball tickets for a game in July as a way to raise money in honor of my dad and to help fight prostate cancer!

The first person to donate $110 to my personal page for the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk before Saturday, June 20 at 10p.m. will receive a pair of tickets (Section 308 - gallery seats - press box level - 3rd base line) to the Monday, July 20 game at 7:05 p.m. when the Nats take on the New York Mets in D.C.

Your donation of $110 could provide a free prostate cancer test to a man at-risk! I can't think of a better way to donate! You are potentially helping to save a man's life from prostate cancer by early detection and in return getting to enjoy the Nats play the Mets!

 

Save a man's life, watch men play a sport and even take your favorite man with you!

Sounds like a win-win to me!

All you have to do is follow the link below and make a donation on my personal page in the amount of $110:

 

http://www.zeroprostatecancerrun.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1127720&lis=1&kntae1127720=F5E583543DFF4A1B8A1BF93DF6CEA7C8&supId=417434731&_ga=1.156228027.1836921384.1431616451

(I will contact the winner with details of how to retrieve the tickets.)
 

As a leader in the fight against prostate cancer, ZERO advances research, encourages action, and provides education and support to men and their families. Most importantly, when you donate to ZERO, you can be assured your money is truly making a difference because 98 cents of every dollar donated goes to research and programs to fight prostate cancer!

 

 

Let's strive for one number.... zero!!

 

 

***As of June 19, I am happy to say that Jeff Joseph, otherwise known as Dr. J, made a $320 donation and won these tickets! Congratulations and thank you!!!!********



Meet the Team

Each member of Denny's Shotgun Riders has made a commitment to help put an end to prostate cancer and to support my dad, Denny! By "riding shotgun" with Denny, we assure that he will never have to fight alone!  Since I've been talking about this team since January and the race is this Sunday, I thought it's way past time for you to virtually meet each one of these fantastic people through my eyes!

 

Val Moore - Team Captain
Ya'll know me already! I'm the batshit passionate one who started this plight six months ago and isn't about to stop! I'm also the luckiest girl in the world to call this guy we're racing for my dad!

 

 

Denny and Linda Moore

 

These two are my role models in life, my best friends, the parents every girl dreams of and the two most important people in my life who also hold the key to my heart!

 

 

Maurine Wood

 

While Maurine was one of the first two people I asked to participate in this walk with me and has  quickly became one of my best friends over the last two years, she is also participating in honor of her father, who suffered from prostate cancer in the latter years of his life. Although her father did not succumb to this disease, he worried about it constantly before he passed in 2008. "Denny Moore is a wonderful, caring person and I have spent some wonderful times with the Moore family at their beach house, concerts, and "happy place” enjoying the pleasure of their company, along with great food, wine, and music. I am honored to be a part of their “family." I don't know what we'd do without you, Red!

 

Gloria Sitton

 

I met my soul sister about 10 years ago when I worked in Shitty Hall, I mean Alexandria City Hall.  We instantly became friends and Gloria became the sister I never had. Her family instantly accepted me and became my South Carolina family just as she instantly became a part of mine. She always knows exactly what to say at all the right times to make me feel better and I truly don't know what I'd do without her! While Gloria was one of the first two people I asked to join the team, she unfortunately will not be able to join us on race day and has written the following message to share:

 

 

 

"My favorite “Denny Moore Memory” is one Saturday me and my VA family went visiting wineries.  Now, Dad Moore is the life of the party and he was encouraging me to drink up.  Next thing I know, I had tasted twelve different wines and I was done because I am a lightweight.  But it never occurred to me that I was doing too much because Dad Moore kept us laughing and smiling the whole day.  (Val remember he rode the traffic circle like European vacation—LOL - drove Mom Moore bananas). I will always stand up and speak life for Dad Moore—cause he gives life to everyone who meets him.  I am missing the race because I am going to SC to see my dad, who is also battling prostate cancer.   Cancer is no fun! But with organizations like Zero - The End of Prostate Cancer, my dad and Dad Moore, will be not only survivors but conquerors over this disease. 

I’m riding shotgun in SC, y’all! --Gloria"

Jason Crawford

I met Jason by chance (or was it?) in September 2014 and it didn't take long for him to become a very special and important part of my life. While he hasn't known my parents for long, he instantly accepted them and brought a sense of calm, generosity and goodness to our lives. My favorite guy is someone I know I can always count on and I am so very grateful to have him in my life. No one but Jason has been able to "remedy my crazy" with such ease! Jason is a Crossfit coach and will be one of the admirable (or maybe, insane) ones in my mind who's running the four miles on Sunday. Jason didn't hesitate to join the team and it's a true blessing to have him by my side in this crazy world.
 

 

Jeff Stamp and Amelia Stamp

 

 

I met Jeff about a year or so ago at a going away party at my happy place for our Korean intern buddy, Jack, who worked in the County's Budget Office. I knew of Jeff through mutual friends but it wasn't until this night that I actually met him and was able to spend time with him. Jeff has an enormous God-fearing, heart of gold and is so very easy to talk to. He has accomplished so much in a short amount of time when it comes to becoming healthy and I admire that he's not only doing it to better himself but he's doing it for his family. Jeff unfortunately lost his dad at a young age, and he wants to make sure that his two precious kids don't lose their dad. His adorable daughter, Amelia, has joined the team and will follow in Dad's footsteps by participating in the ZERO Kids Superhero Dash for Dad! Jeff is a Tough Mudder competitor and a runner so look out, people. He's got his eye on the prize. I am so fortunate to call him my friend and a member of our team.

 

 Alison and Phil Patton
 

 

Alison and Phil Patton are one of my all-time favorite couples. I met Phil at my happy place when Alison was overseas. We spent many nights at Winestyles and at the Dale City Moose Lodge for seafood nights with my parents. I joke that Phil quickly became "the brother I never wanted" when in reality, I absolutely adore this guy. Best part, though? When Alison came home and I got to see how amazing she is as well. It was heartbreaking when they got transferred to Germany but it wasn't long and they were back in Montclair where they belong!  No matter what mood I'm in, this couple always seems to make me smile and I am so grateful they joined the team!

 

Mary Anne Schwartz



 

 

 

I am so excited about Mary Anne joining us on Sunday! She and I met a few years ago at my happy place but the one moment I really remember is at the Halloween party. I was Harley Quinn and she showed up in a t-shirt that said "This is my Zombie costume." I hate Halloween and this was the first time since I was a kid that I dressed up in costume and "celebrated". I was coerced by my friend who was the Joker and I did have a kick-ass costume so why not? Mary Anne and I hit it off immediately and I told her she was my "Poison Ivy" (another Batman reference).  From that moment on, we were fast friends.  While I don't see Mary Anne nearly enough, we always have an incredibly fun time whenever we are together and end up laughing until we hurt! This crazy girl ran a wine race a few years ago and she didn't think twice about signing up to join us to support my dad on Father's Day! 

 

 

Melissa and Brian O'Neil

 

Melissa and Brian are neighbors of Maurine's and I feel as if I know them through her. However, I have only been around Melissa twice and Brian once. Melissa is a two-time breast cancer survivor and nurse and her darling husband is an Army Colonel. I was so very touched when they both came to my fundraiser on April 29. It truly restored my faith in humanity. Melissa is a true warrior when it comes to fighting breast cancer and running marathons. Having them join the team just this week meant so very much to me and my family and I look forward to Sunday and getting to know them better as time goes on.

 

Being one of Denny's Shotgun Riders means that we've got Dad's back. It means we love him and we will do everything we can to support him through this battle. I, honestly, can't imagine anywhere I'd rather be.

 

Thank you to each and every one of you for joining my team and supporting my father and this cause! I look forward to seeing each of you on Sunday and doing the Denny's Shotgun Riders name proud!

Humbled, honored and in awe

I'm selfish when it comes to my parents. I want what's best for them because they have always provided the best for me. I will stop at nothing to protect them and to keep them healthy and happy. They are my best friends in life and I truly can't imagine a day without them.

When Dad's cancer came back for the fifth time - and with a vengeance - I couldn't just sit around and watch. I had to do something but I didn't know what to do.

Support him? Of course, but that wasn't anything new.
Love him? Well, yeah, but that's like breathing.
Go to doctor appointments with him? No brainer.
Research and learn everything I could about his cancer? Been there, done that and won't stop.

But that wasn't enough. I NEEDED to do more. I needed to feel as if I was helping and was a part of something bigger than me.

Then one night I found ZERO. 

Little did I know that late night in January would become the beginning of something powerful and the start of a lifelong relationship in which to fuel my passion.

As more and more accomplishments occur, I remain humbled, honored and in sheer awe:

• Meeting my goal of $1900 within just a few weeks
• Receiving generous donations of items from businesses and individuals without hesitation for my fundraiser
• Holding a successful fundraiser with 72 people in attendance and raising almost $4,000
• Being the only race participant quoted in the official press release for the Zero 2015 Run/Walk DC
• Having the CEO of ZERO  call me directly and ask me how Dad was doing and give me advice on certain drugs for him to try
• the National Fundraising Manager asking if it was ok if she came to my fundraiser to lend support and then becoming one of the sweetest people I've ever met and feeling as if she's always been a part of our world
• Being featured in the ZeroHour Newsletter - May 2015 http://zerocancer.org/zerohour-may2015
• Being asked to speak at the ZERO 2015 Run/Walk DC
• Having friends and coworkers who didn't hesitate when I made pleas for donations to reach new goals. At 5pm on June 11, I made a plea to reach $8,000 by race day, June 21. In less than 18 hours, Denny's Shotgun Riders surpassed that $8,000 goal ($7,899 of which I have raised).
• Being asked to share Dad's story and why this cause and ZERO are so important to me on News Channel 8 "Let's Talk Live" (6/15/15 at 11am)

When people tell me they are proud of me, my first reaction is to blurt out, "This isn't about me. This is about Dad."  I'm not doing any of this for the accolades. I'm just thrilled that it's working and I am being used as a vehicle to promote awareness for prostate cancer.  I had no idea I would become as involved and active in ZERO like I have but this is just the start. All of this has been aimed toward the Father's Day race but once this race is over I'm not hanging up my ZERO hat. In fact, one of the best things that ever happened to me was finding ZERO and the genuine, down-to-earth staff that I have come to know. I have finally found a place where I can volunteer and make a difference. ZERO has allowed me to keep my sanity in a time when I could easily get caught up in that vicious downward spiral of emotion.

When Dad was first diagnosed, my parents and I were in shock and terrified. We didn't have a resource like ZERO. Now, 19 years later, Dad's cancer has come back ten fold and I feel as if I am armed with so much more knowledge. I may not have had ZERO when cancer first reared its ugly head, but I have them now and I'll never let them go. My hope is that I can use my knowledge, experience and compassion to not only bring awareness to prostate cancer, but to help put an end to this relentless disease and help families who have been affected realize they are not alone.

Thank you, God, for bringing ZERO into my life, for allowing me to be successful in my plight thus far and most of all, for allowing chemo to not only be a treatment option for Dad, but an option that is working! While the race will be over in eight days, my tireless dedication and devotion will never cease.


http://zerocancer.org/

Chemo #6-What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.....

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? How many times have we all heard that expression?  Do we take it to heart though? I mean it's easy to say after the fact - once we've been through hell and survived. But it's not so easy to believe it when you're actually going through hell, is it?

On June 4, Operation Kick Cancer's Ass continued with Chemo #6. A few days prior we found out that Dad's psa decreased 10 more points to 26. While 26 would normally be high, it is a welcome low for us since last Fall it was at an all-time high of 101!! Chemo is definitely working, my friends! We're not finished yet but we sure are moving in the right direction and making progress! Your love, support and prayers are so appreciated - please don't stop!

We've pretty much got the chemo routine figured now. We know that Dad loses his taste buds the day after chemo. We know that he starts to feel absolutely miserable - and that's an understatement- two days after chemo and that chronic cancer-related fatigue is no joke!  This misery, frustration and depression lasts for about a week; sometimes 10 days after chemo.  While I try to remind Dad that it's just temporary, he is the one who is literally living the agony. If I could change that, if I could go through it for him, I would do it in a heartbeat; no questions asked. He's strong. He's tough. He's a warrior. He's the strongest man I know so seeing him defeated is what tears at my heart the most. It's when I think, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger right? Yeah, right. Geez, he's already Superman. What's stronger than that? Whatever it is, I guess that will be Dad soon.

It's so important to bask in the good days.  When the good days happen, we do our best to make the best of them. We want to focus on the good days and make memories on the good days! For that week of good days, we forget all about the bad days. Just when he starts feeling really good, a few days later he has to have chemo again and the cycle starts over. However, I never lose hope in the fact that the good days will come - even in the darkest of the bad days, we know that the good is right around the corner. That light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer. Every time that psa drops, it makes the good days sweeter and the bad days a little more bearable. But damn, those bad days are really bad.

Just when the bad days occur, though, something good always seems to comes out of it. After Chemo #6, I met my parents for lunch at Nandos.  Dad wanted to enjoy delicious food while he could still taste it and I there was no way I was going to miss out on that moment! When I returned to work, I had an email from Amanda, the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at ZERO. She explained to me that ZERO has the opportunity to feature the Capital Area Race on News Channel 8 - "Let's Talk Live!". She asked me if I would be willing to appear on the show to discuss the race, talk about my fundraising and tell Dad's story. After the shock subsided and reality sunk in, after the tears of joy quit rolling down my face, I replied, thanked her and absolutely agreed to participate!  So, on June 15, I'll be headed to the studios in Arlington to help raise prostate cancer awareness alongside my ZERO friends who will be promoting the Father's Day race.

Who knew that late night in January when I was playing on my smart phone because I couldn't fall asleep and I happened upon a prostate cancer walk that was occurring in June, that all this would have happened!   I needed an outlet. I needed to find a way to help. I needed to feel like I was making a difference.

I don't know how it happened but it's happening. I'm not questioning it. I'm just truly grateful and running with it. Everything happens for a reason and everything I am doing in my plight to bring awareness to prostate cancer and to help put an end to this wretched disease is in honor of my dad and in hopes that others, one day soon, won't have to go through the same thing.

One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. I, personally, know four men, three of which were diagnosed well under the age of 47. Odds are you all know someone who has been diagnosed or will be diagnosed.  Won't you please make a donation to ZERO in honor of Denny's Shotgun Riders and help me put an end to this horrible disease that is the second leading cause of cancer death in men?  It's as simple as clicking on the link below and making a donation online. If you're more comfortable writing a check, email me at valamoore@yahoo.com and I'll give you all the information you need. I assure you it will be money well spent and more appreciated than you can possibly imagine.

http://www.zeroprostatecancerrun.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1127720&lis=1&kntae1127720=DBFB0C7724E349C5A3A960A1481FFF06&supId=417434731&_ga=1.266485194.553503092.1433903363

Mom, Dad and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Let's strive for one number... zero!