Prevent Cancer Foundation is a partner in Breakaway from Cancer, a campaign founded in 2005 to highlight the resources available to the public through four national partner organizations in prevention through survivorship, including the Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation, and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. The campaign also celebrates the passion, and impact through advocacy that survivors and caregivers can have.
This year, you can help us choose the four individuals that we will honor along the Amgen Tour of California professional cycling route. Just visit Breakaway from Cancer’s website to read each nominee’s story, and be sure to select your favorite from each host city. Winners will be given VIP access at the 2012 Amgen Tour of California and will be honored on stage. They will also lead the Breakaway Mile, a walk which honors cancer survivors worldwide, through their community. For those of you who will be in California between May 13th and 20th and would like to participate in a Breakaway Mile can register here. Be sure to sign up now, as space is limited to the first 150 registrants per city.
We also wanted to introduce you to Bob Baker — a Prevent Cancer Foundation cancer champion! Many labels can be applied to Bob — husband, father of three, cyclist. Each is admirable on its own, but it is his fourth label, cancer survivor, that makes everything else all the more impressive. Bob was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, a painfully chronic disease that produces open sores in the intestine, at the young age of 15 and, like many with UC, eventually developed colon cancer. Twenty-seven years after his UC diagnosis, Bob underwent surgery to have his large intestine removed, and now lives life fully with a permanent ileostomy.
Since his complete recovery 8 years ago Bob has volunteered his time as a patient advocate sharing his story in the hope that it educates and inspires. His involvement includes: visiting members of Congress and the President at the White House, modeling in a colon cancer awareness calendar and runway fashion shows, leading support groups, visiting and counseling patients, public speaking and serving on the board of directors of The United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc (UOAA). Seeing the need to help new patients through recovery from ostomy surgery, Bob created and produced the DVD “Living with an Ostomy” which is widely used to address some of the common fears associated with this life saving surgery.
Bob also uses cycling to raise awareness about colon cancer, competing in races such as The Phoenix Tour, a grueling 3000 mile tour that takes place over 3 months. Bob uses every opportunity to spread awareness about Colon Cancer, in hopes that others will take their health into their own hands and get screened.
Bob is a true Breakaway from Cancer champion — making a difference in prevention policy, education and survivorship every day!
