2017/08/23 - Walter's Blog: What Defines Us
We all have numerous identities that define our character. Besides being the O’Fallon City Administrator, I am also a husband, father, son, Christian, friend, homebrewer, swimmer, and cancer survivor. The final two have played a prominent role recently as my wife and I coordinated the Swim Across America St. Louis lake swim on August 26 to benefit the Siteman Cancer Center. This was the second year for the lake swim. Last year, we had 200 swimmers and raised $65,000. This year, before the event took place, we were up to more than 300 swimmers and $96,000 raised.
More than 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Known as the “The Emperor of All Maladies,” chances are you or a family member have already been affected by cancer. Unfortunately, I know too many who have been affected by cancer. My father died from cancer, I have several close friends dealing with cancer, and I have been treated for two different cancers over the past four years that included three surgeries, nine months of chemotherapy, 90 days is the hospital, and a stem cell transplant.
I recently celebrated my third anniversary of completing chemotherapy and am blessed with no evidence of cancer in my body. That is only due to the tremendous advances in cancer research and treatment. It is also due to the committed doctors and nurses at the Siteman Cancer Center who treated me and thousands of others. Since I am healthy again, I am committed to raising money to fight this terrible disease.
My family members were not the only O’Fallon residents that participated in the event. We have been involved in the O’Fallon Breakers summer swim team for nine years and there were 19 Breaker swimmers on our fundraising team. In addition, the McKendree University swim team participated as well as the swim teams for the University of Missouri, Truman State University, Maryville University, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Swim Across America is a national organization that is making a real difference in cancer research and recently was recognized for being the first to invest in the FDA-approved KeyTruda, which targets cancer-based disease genetics rather than the site of a tumor. KeyTruda now can be used for colon, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian and other cancers if genetic testing reveals defects in so-called mismatch repair. Success stories like these are only possible through fundraising efforts such as Swim Across America that provides critical funding. Here is the news release explaining the benefits of KeyTruda. In addition, here is a testimonial from a researcher in Seattle explaining the difference Swim AcrossAmerica has made in his work.
I know this does not have anything to do city government, but I thought you may be interested to know that city officials have lives outside work and are passionate for numerous causes, whether it be cancer, United Way, Special Olympics, or others. I am grateful for each day I am able to come to work for the City of O’Fallon and I am raising money for cancer research so others will not have to endure what I went through.