My Story starts when I was in in 8th grade..... I was at Thanksgiving Dinner and my best friends mom was saying the blessing. In her blessing she choose to included that my stepfather Ron had cancer a family secret that had not yet been discussed with me. I thought I was hearing things and in that moment the earth stopped for a moment. I was devastated because my step dad was such a big part of my life and always wonderful to me. I am strong so I put on a brave face and refused to shed a tear. My mom sat me down the next day and told me that she was sorry but was trying to figure out the best way to tell me the news. She explained that Ron did not just have cancer but that he was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer that had metastases to his lungs and that he was given only six short months to live. My mom being the strongest and most determined women I know refused to accept that and went to Dana Farber and Sloan Kettering to find the best care and treatment plan available. Ron under went very aggressive chemotherapy as well as surgery to remove part of his lung. Many felt the treatment was so aggressive it could kill him but my mom and Ron felt that he was already given a death sentence and that dying while fighting was better than just succumbing to a fate handed down to him. After a few months of daily treatment, doctors visits, side effects of chemotherapy and lots of heartfelt family time Ron beat the odds and went into remission. At that moment I cried. Unfortunately Ron's cancer did return 12 years later again metastased this time to the bone but again like the champion he is he beat it for a second time and is now currently in remission.
A few years after Ron went into remission my Mom and Dad brought me to lunch. I'll never forget we went to the Dolphin in Natick. This struck me as odd since my parents and I did not do things just the three of us very often but I tried not to worry. We had a great lunch and it was so nice to spend time with just my Mom and Dad. Sadly the lunch did not end well. My dad told me he also had prostate cancer. He had stage 3b and had to undergo surgery and radiation. This time I was not so strong and broke down in tears instantly. I really felt this was impossible not to mention unfair. I was not ready to lose my Dad. My Dad and Stepdad both have the same cancer?!? My dad lis a great person and always stands by my side through thick and thin. I was sad and angry. His journey was very tough and to this day his journey continues because of side effects he has from the surgery. The treatment took it's toll but he survived and remains in remission to this day. He is one of the strongest people I know and I know becuase of his strength it has in turn made me a stronger person. I hate that he still has side effects and wish I could take them away. I am glad that he chose to fight because to me it was more than worthsince I feel so blessed to still have him around.
I would love to say my story ends there but it sadly does not.... years after my Dad and Ron were originally diagnosed, I was in my senior year at Syracuse University my grandfather was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Again our world was shook. My Poppy "Duke" as many called him was a rock in our family and lit up our lives. He was so strong and full of life this did not seem fair. My grandpa always went to church and constantly was helping others not to mention never failed to make us smile with a laugh or a joke. My grandfather walked everyday and was in great physical shape we never thought this was possible. I drove 12 hours round trip every weekend to go home for three months so I could spend as much time with him as possible because he was one of my best friends and a role model to me. A month before he died I asked him to try to make it long enough to see me graduate. He was so proud I was going to Syracuse just like him. He told me I'll crawl there honey, if I have too Sadly cancer did not allow this to happen. This time my family was not so lucky. My grandfather lost his battle to colon cancer in March of 2009 just a few months before I graduated from Syracuse. I know he watched from heaven and was beyond proud of his little girl but a part of me was still devastated he could not be there in person. The only comfort I had was he was no longer suffering and with god who he so faithfully believed in.
My families been struck with cancer multiple times. It is a horrible nasty disease and anything I can do to help find a cure means more to me than anyone can imagine. I have lost my grandfather and seen the pain it causes those effected even if the treatment does work it is not an easy battle to fight. Outside of my family I have seen numerous friends and their families struck as well some winning their battles and some not. I am fed up with cancer. So I ride for my grandfather who lost his battle. I ride for my Dad and Stepdad who beat cancer's butt and I ride for everyone who has been effected by cancer. The battle is fought the hardest by the person who is diagnosed but a diagnosis devastates a whole family. I don't want anyone to have to fight a battle with cancer anymore and that is why I have chosen to ride this year in the Pan Mass Challenge.
Lots of Love,
Katie O'Mara
My Story starts when I was in in 8th grade..... I was at Thanksgiving Dinner and my best friends mom was saying the blessing. In her blessing she choose to included that my stepfather Ron had cancer a family secret that had not yet been discussed with me. I thought I was hearing things and in that moment the earth stopped for a moment. I was devastated because my step dad was such a big part of my life and always wonderful to me. I am strong so I put on a brave face and refused to shed a tear. My mom sat me down the next day and told me that she was sorry but was trying to figure out the best way to tell me the news. She explained that Ron did not just have cancer but that he was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer that had metastases to his lungs and that he was given only six short months to live. My mom being the strongest and most determined women I know refused to accept that and went to Dana Farber and Sloan Kettering to find the best care and treatment plan available. Ron under went very aggressive chemotherapy as well as surgery to remove part of his lung. Many felt the treatment was so aggressive it could kill him but my mom and Ron felt that he was already given a death sentence and that dying while fighting was better than just succumbing to a fate handed down to him. After a few months of daily treatment, doctors visits, side effects of chemotherapy and lots of heartfelt family time Ron beat the odds and went into remission. At that moment I cried. Unfortunately Ron's cancer did return 12 years later again metastased this time to the bone but again like the champion he is he beat it for a second time and is now currently in remission.
A few years after Ron went into remission my Mom and Dad brought me to lunch. I'll never forget we went to the Dolphin in Natick. This struck me as odd since my parents and I did not do things just the three of us very often but I tried not to worry. We had a great lunch and it was so nice to spend time with just my Mom and Dad. Sadly the lunch did not end well. My dad told me he also had prostate cancer. He had stage 3b and had to undergo surgery and radiation. This time I was not so strong and broke down in tears instantly. I really felt this was impossible not to mention unfair. I was not ready to lose my Dad. My Dad and Stepdad both have the same cancer?!? My dad lis a great person and always stands by my side through thick and thin. I was sad and angry. His journey was very tough and to this day his journey continues because of side effects he has from the surgery. The treatment took it's toll but he survived and remains in remission to this day. He is one of the strongest people I know and I know becuase of his strength it has in turn made me a stronger person. I hate that he still has side effects and wish I could take them away. I am glad that he chose to fight because to me it was more than worthsince I feel so blessed to still have him around.
I would love to say my story ends there but it sadly does not.... years after my Dad and Ron were originally diagnosed, I was in my senior year at Syracuse University my grandfather was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Again our world was shook. My Poppy "Duke" as many called him was a rock in our family and lit up our lives. He was so strong and full of life this did not seem fair. My grandpa always went to church and constantly was helping others not to mention never failed to make us smile with a laugh or a joke. My grandfather walked everyday and was in great physical shape we never thought this was possible. I drove 12 hours round trip every weekend to go home for three months so I could spend as much time with him as possible because he was one of my best friends and a role model to me. A month before he died I asked him to try to make it long enough to see me graduate. He was so proud I was going to Syracuse just like him. He told me I'll crawl there honey, if I have too Sadly cancer did not allow this to happen. This time my family was not so lucky. My grandfather lost his battle to colon cancer in March of 2009 just a few months before I graduated from Syracuse. I know he watched from heaven and was beyond proud of his little girl but a part of me was still devastated he could not be there in person. The only comfort I had was he was no longer suffering and with god who he so faithfully believed in.
My families been struck with cancer multiple times. It is a horrible nasty disease and anything I can do to help find a cure means more to me than anyone can imagine. I have lost my grandfather and seen the pain it causes those effected even if the treatment does work it is not an easy battle to fight. Outside of my family I have seen numerous friends and their families struck as well some winning their battles and some not. I am fed up with cancer. So I ride for my grandfather who lost his battle. I ride for my Dad and Stepdad who beat cancer's butt and I ride for everyone who has been effected by cancer. The battle is fought the hardest by the person who is diagnosed but a diagnosis devastates a whole family. I don't want anyone to have to fight a battle with cancer anymore and that is why I have chosen to ride this year in the Pan Mass Challenge.
Lots of Love,
Katie O'Mara
| 2018 | $1,450.00 | Wellesley to Provincetown Monument (2-Day) |
