Cancer Advocate Spotlight: Ronald Bye
Ronald Bye
Testicular cancer survivor
|
|
Hearing those three fateful words: “You have cancer,” can be one of the most life- changing events anyone can possibly encounter. Instantaneously life changes and will never be the same again. Most will ask the question with no possible answer, “Why me?” We go through nearly every emotion possible from panic to fear of the unknown to sadness and grieving and hopefully ultimately find some source of peace. I too endured those huge swings in emotions.
I hid those emotions away from the outside world and to some degree from myself in an effort of self-preservation and an avoidance of the social stigma at the time. I was diagnosed almost 34 years ago at the age of 20 with testicular cancer. I was told I would not likely see my 25th birthday.
For 30 years I did my very best to ignore the growing feeling inside that I “should be doing something to give back.” As I approached my 50th birthday and the 30th anniversary of my diagnosis, I became deeply retrospective about my cancer as well as life in general. That feeling that I should be doing something became so loud inside I could no longer ignore it. I had no idea where to even begin; I only knew I needed to do something.
I began to feel I should share my survival story in the hopes of helping others to know it was possible to survive and to live a relatively normal life after cancer. I began researching on the internet (a wonderful tool which was not available back when I was diagnosed) and became more and more convinced I needed to speak out. I became aware the Lance Armstrong Foundation was planning a Survivorship Summit for October 2006 and figured I had nothing to lose so I applied. I believed they were looking for individuals who were already involved in advocacy and I would likely stand little chance of being accepted.
I was indeed accepted and ultimately attended the inaugural LIVESTRONG Summit in Austin, TX. It was truly 3 days that changed my life forever! Until that point I had not interacted with any survivors and certainly had not shared my story with but a very few people in my life. I knew that weekend that cancer had once again changed my life irrevocably.
I began sharing my story telling myself I was doing it to help others, however it soon became clear to me I needed to also do it for me! I had been cured 30+ years ago but I had not really begun to heal until I got involved. As I began to heal I wrote my survival story down with the initial intent of helping myself work through all the feelings I locked away all those years ago. I shared that with a few friends and advocates and received such positive responses that I should turn it into a book and share it with everyone. I did just that and as of the last couple weeks “Memoirs of a 30 Year Cancer Survivor” has been available through major book retailers. Although I began writing it to help myself, I now hope it can help others find hope when they get little otherwise.
My involvement has taken on a life of its own! From the LAF Summit I co-founded an organization, Cancer Advocates Coalition, which planned and hosted a regional survivorship summit in the Northeast. Through the process of planning that event, I became aware and involved with many other organizations including the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (whom graciously participated in our summit). I also have become deeply involved with the American Cancer Society. My involvement has grown to include Board positions on the New Hampshire Comprehensive Cancer Collaborative and the New Hampshire Cancer Fund Oversight Board, which oversees funds allocated by the state towards cancer programs around the state. And I remain deeply involved with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and have served on the Steering Committee for the Survivorship Summit 2008 and will ride in the LIVESTRONG CHALLENGE 2009 in Austin, TX, this coming October.
I am also involved with several formal and informal groups such as the Our Cancer blog on NPR and Cyclists Combating Cancer, an informal group which fundraises via cycling events to benefit the LAF.
One of the life lessons my cancer taught me was to live life with my “Three P’s: Persistence, Perseverance and most of all PASSION, and I have taken my passion for life and focused that energy on helping others through advocacy efforts.
I strongly encourage everyone to get involved. You do not need be quite as public as I am, but make no mistake about it, every voice helps and together our voices become a roar which can not be ignored! There are so many incredible organizations out there desperately needing your help, involvement and participation.
I absolutely promise you one thing. In addition to helping others, you will find peace and healing for yourself in the process.
I have made peace with my cancer… will you with yours?
Submitted by: Christine K. Forst
July 10, 2009
Submitted by: Linda McDonald
July 8, 2009