Getting ready to walk along the beautiful Chicago lake shore

Terri, Elizabeth, and Mike just before the race

Terri and I stop for some water.

Watch out, bicyclists and runners!

Stopping with Daisy to view Buckingham Fountain

What a beautiful view out to the lake!

Daisy and Mike take a rest.

Celebrating with our medals

Dr. Mehta and me at the finish

I'm on the top right.

Last Sunday I participated in the Cancer Survivor's Walk for the Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. (This is not the big fundraising walk we do in the fall for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, but one run by the hospital that has been treating me.)  Terri, Elizabeth, Mike, and their dog Daisy joined me for a beautiful day along the lake. I am proud to say that I was able to walk the entire 3 miles with the aid of my cane and a couple rests along the way. I have had to replace one of my leg braces because I actually cracked it from so much wear over the year and am still trying to break in the new one.
One highlight was seeing my oncologist, Dr. Mehta, who sought me out when I was finishing the race. He is a great person in so many ways--not only a very skilled doctor in the forefront of treatments for my specific cancer, but very caring and concerned not only about me but also about Terri and my whole family. He is a big part of why Terri and I are where we are today, really enjoying life.

Save the Date: MMRF Race for Research, Sunday, Oct. 2 @ 9:30 AM

If you live in the Chicago area, please plan on joining us on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 9:30 AM for the MMRF Race for Research in Lincoln Park. Many of you may remember that last year the race was held just a couple weeks after my diagnosis of multiple myeloma. My daughter Elizabeth and niece Heather organized a team they called Bob's Your Uncle, which is an expression in England that means "It's ok" or "all will be well" and raised over $2000. Given recent tests, showing my cancer is in remission, it seems to be a fitting name for our team again this year.

Last year's team

Over the last 10 years the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) has aggressively been funding research to cure the disease. Its founder, herself a MM survivor, was recognized last year as one of Time Magazine's Top 100 People in Medicine. Her story was featured on the Today show earlier this year. A link to that interview appears on this blog.

Please give serious consideration to joining our team this year. The distance is 5K and you can make it a leisurely walk or a race. Last year I was in the hospital at the time of the walk, but I am looking forward to being a part of it this year. We hope to have a tent and special T-shirts and refreshments.

And if you don't live in the Chicago area or can't make it that day, please consider making a donation. Our goal this year is $10,000. Please follow this link attached to either join the team or to donate to the foundation.

http://support.themmrf.org/goto/bobsyouruncle

Looking forward to seeing you in October. We are hoping for a beautiful autumn day in Chicago.