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Roman's Story
The first thoughts I had when I heard the words, "You have leukemia," were about my girls. How could I possibly leave my wonderful wife, Jean? How could my baby daughter, Gillian Hope, grow up in a world that didn't have her daddy in it? She was only 2 at the time and the thought of not being present at all the wonderful moments that were to come in her life was unbearable! Yet, as the painful tests and chemotherapy began, the prospect of my not making it to her graduation or walking her down the aisle on her wedding day became all too real.
Things turned a corner for me with Gleevec, a miracle pill that turns off the switch that allows cancer cells to grow. Today, that pill is keeping me alive, feeling great and free of cancer. When I learned that the Society funded the research that produced Gleevec, I decided the best way for me to give back was by combining my love of endurance sports -- marathons and 100-mile century bike rides -- with raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to invest in lifesaving cancer research. It's also a way to show cancer that I am alive, well and strong -- and giving it my all!
Roman Seguerre