Flying 2,500 miles across the country ?? Florida to California ?? to attend a Sunday morning hike mountain might seem a bit extreme for the average person. I doubted myself, until I arrived.
It turned out to be one of the most inspiring things I've ever done.
As part of the 4th annual 5K Walk / Hike for mesothelioma research at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills was an experience I will not forget.
event is a major fundraiser for the Pacific Meso Center, a specialized treatment center that aims to discover more effective treatments for this insidious cancer and one day find a cure.
This year's event was the most successful to date, raising more than $ 100,000 for research into mesothelioma.
I am proud of my company supports the effort. My wife and I both made the trip. We were a bit worried to go and were not really what to expect.
What we found was more than 300 different people of all shapes and sizes cultures. Ages ranged from 8 to 80. We were all committed to one cause, well defined. We raise awareness and money to fight against cancer that most people have never heard of.
He let me re-energized, proud and happy to be part of this group.
team Asbestos. com was a lot of
Honestly, it was more than I expected. My wife and I registered as Team Asbestos.com. The hike has attracted many teams from two members to a dozen or more.
Many teams included members of the extended family who hiked to remember a loved one they lost to mesothelioma. Others supported people with mesothelioma currently undergoing treatment.
I met some newly diagnosed patients on the hike, and they are not stopping. It was dry and hot out there ?? ?? drought conditions, but everyone was involved and I never heard anyone complain.
Each team wore different colored T-shirts, but there was plenty camaraderie between everyone, regardless of the team they represented. It was like everyone knew each other, bound by something meaningful.
Someone fell at one point, and his team quickly came to his aid. He kept walking. Everything was uplifting to me.
I met Dr. Robert Cameron for the first time. It is one of the top thoracic surgeons in the country, the driving force behind the Pacific Meso Center and a pioneer in the treatment of mesothelioma. Many people there told me that they owe their lives to Cameron for what he did.
People really believe in him. If you meet him, you understand why. You can see how passionate he is about what he does. It also help veterans with mesothelioma a priority.
Inspired by those who fought
Throughout the hike, we passed signs showing facts about mesothelioma and asbestos. I saw a team stop to gather around a plaque commemorating a loved one who had passed. Together they listened to his favorite song through a smartphone.
There were tears. It was emotional, but at the same time inspiring.
Subsequently, there was lunch for everyone. Lunch was followed by a series of speakers, including Terry Latham, a survivor of mesothelioma five who is so grateful. Dennis Zine, the honorary mayor of nearby Woodland Hills, served as master of ceremonies. He was full of energy.
I met the family of Chuck Jarvis Jr., whose father fought so bravely mesothelioma and has become the driving force behind the Great Escape Motorcycle Ride, another fundraiser Pacific Meso Center.
The event also featured a raffle drawing with great prizes. I gain nothing, but I'm not worried. I felt proud knowing that we have helped to raise money for a good cause.
The Mutts Red Group played, and everyone had a great time. When it was over, however, it seemed that no one wanted to leave. He felt like a big family.
Finally, we left, but I'll be back next year.
Jose Ortiz Medical Liaison Officer to mesothelioma Centre, travels around the country to talk with mesothelioma specialists, and other cancer centers working to find a cure for disease.
