Opening Remarks

On Saturday April 25th, I was honored to deliver the opening remarks before the start of the 2009 5K Dallas Lymphomathon This is what I said:

"Hi. I'm Wendy Harpham. I was asked to say a few words because as both a physician and a patient I have seen the benefits of lymphoma research.

Each of you has your own unique story and reasons for being here today.

• Some of you are celebrating your own survivorship or the survivorship of a loved one.
• Some of you are honoring the memory of a loved one for whom answers did not come soon enough.
• Some of you are here to teach your children some lessons about survivorship, such as the belief that it is better to get out and do something about a problem like cancer than to just sit home and be afraid.
• Some of you are here as a break from studying or work, having fun with friends while helping raise awareness about lymphoma.

I’m here for all those reasons. When I was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1990, the textbooks said my cancer was incurable. In 1993, after my lymphoma recurred a second time, the statistics put my prognosis at two years. Thanks to research, it is now an amazing 15 years later.

Whatever our reasons for coming, we’re all here to help change the textbooks: As long as there is research, no type of cancer is incurable; there are only types of cancer for which researchers are working toward curative therapies. And it is money raised during events like this Lymphomathon that fund the research that will unlock the secrets to cancer.

Thank-you -- each and every one of you -- for taking out time from your weekend to celebrate survivors, to remember loved ones, and to nourish the hope that one day the Lymphoma Research Foundation will disband because there will no longer be a need for lymphoma research."

 

  

Wendy's Eagles 2009  (photo by Suzanne Demaree)

 

Comments

[kate]

Wonderful remarks. I'm glad the day was so successful. Great photograph too!

[B]

It was such a fun event! Thank you for all of your hard work and allowing us to all be a part of the day.

[Lori Hope]

Love the speech, Wendy -
Also love your book. Have only gotten through part of the Hope section (it's what I saw when I casually opened it up!) and am moved, inspired, and GRATEFUL that you have written this for physicians!
Can't wait to read more. Am working on two books (others' - editing), two speeches, and advocacy work, but hope to dig in more on airplanes.
You're a gift and a blessing, and I hope some day I'll get to meet you in person.
Also - thank you for the inscription. I didn't see it at first.
Lori

[Kenneth E. Elsbury]

Dr. H,

Sorry I didn't give more to help meet your goal. I'll try harder next year. Thanks for all do!

Sincerely,

Kenneth E.

[Wendy S. Harpham, MD]

Dear Lori,
Thanks for your note. I am so glad that you are finding the book useful, especially given how busy you are.

I've received superb care since my diagnosis in 1990. Sharing the stories is one way to thank my healthcare team, because now the compassion they showed me may also help other patients.

Safe travels. Look forward to meeting in person one day.
With hope, Wendy

[Wendy S. Harpham, MD]

Dear B and Kenneth,

It has been an honor to be captain of Wendy's Eagles. Especially in light of today's economic climate, you have been over-generous in your support and donation.

With gratitude and hope, Wendy