Dear family, friends, and supporters,
I am endlessly grateful for amazing people like you, who donate to funds like this. Because of you, we will continue to move the needle closer to developing more cures for cancers. The badge on my PMC jersey that says 'Living-Proof' solidifies the fact that these donations make an impact. My particular cancer historically had a 5% survival rate until research and clinical trials discovered a three-drug chemo regimen that took it to a 95% survival rate.
On November 8th, 2024, I recieved amazing news at Dana Farber: my four year checkup scan came back with no sign of cancer! Let’s make that the story for more people.
For my 5th PMC, I am committed to the people cancer has impacted. I ride for the people that have been taken too soon, the warriors battling right now, and people who don’t even know the battle is in their future. I will never stop.
Love, Freddy
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My Cancer Journey:
In February of 2020, I was diagnosed with stage 1 Testicular Cancer. After advocating for my health, I was scheduled for surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I felt grateful that we caught it early since surgery seemed like the simple fix. Following the procedure, I was put on a bimonthly surveillance schedule at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to check for a recurrence. Little did I know my journey was just beginning.
In July of the same year, I felt aching lower back pains that seemed out of the ordinary. My incredible team at Dana-Farber decided to expedite my next surveillance appointment to an earlier date to see if the pain could be related to a recurrence. The CT scans showed that the cancer had metastasized to lymph nodes in my abdomen. My stage was upgraded to stage 2B. This meant I would have to undergo three cycles of chemotherapy that lasted nine weeks.
Hearing this prognosis changed me forever. Chemotherapy at 26 years old? I thought I had done everything “right.” I was a college athlete who continued to exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle in my professional life. I live my life with positivity, love, and happiness. After the initial shock, I set my sights on finding the meaning of this adversity.
With chemotherapy starting on July 13, 2020, I had many hours to think about this meaning as I sat in the cancer-conquering throne at the infusion clinic. While I was thinking, I saw my amazing support system coming to life. My own will, grit, and positivity could only carry me so far. When I got tired, you all subbed in for me until I could tie my sneakers back up. Due to Covid-19, I was not allowed visitors during the 6-hour infusions happening 5-days a week. Even without visitors, I felt the presence of my support network-- my partner and now wife, my medical team, my friends, my family and my employer, General Dynamics Mission Systems. I would come home from a long day of chemo to mountains of letters, packages, texts, calls, and even meals from coworkers, friends, and family. So when I was declared in remission on December 9, 2020, I understood the lesson: With a strong support system, I can make positive change from adversity.
I am riding the PMC to raise money for cancer research so we can create strong support networks for all cancer patients. I am riding the PMC for the people sitting in their cancer-curing thrones right now thinking about the meaning of their journey. I am riding the PMC to support the talented medical staff at Dana-Farber who saved my life. They deserve the resources they need to discover the unknown.
I thank you for reading my story. Essentially, this story is about all of you, because I would not be where I am today without your support. You all stepped up in a very big way throughout my battle with cancer. If you are just now joining me on this journey, I welcome you and appreciate the support. Now let us help others battle through this disease!
