This April, Marty Randal, a long-time
Our Clubhouse member and supporter, celebrated 30 years of being cancer free.
In celebration of his anniversary, we are sharing his story in hopes that it inspires others who are battling cancer.
I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma when I was 17 years old.
During the next 8 months, I
had a surgery to remove my spleen, six rounds of chemotherapy, and two rounds of
radiation. In my 20's, I watched two friends pass away from cancer, both also in
their 20's. My dad battled Myeloma for over four years before he passed in
late 2005.
I walked into Our Clubhouse, then known as Gilda's Club Western PA, in February 2009 because I had heard about their warm and inviting Clubhouse.
Walking into Our Clubhouse was a way for me to rejoin the cancer community
that I had never really left, as all of those who have been diagnosed can
attest. I was searching for more and better information on the treatment
impacts as well as a way to fight this disease that takes so much.
I found that
help at Our Clubhouse and have made lifelong friendships.
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| Marty and his mom at Our Clubhouse. |
To give back to an organization that has given me so much, I formed a group of young adults who raised funds
to help all of those impacted by cancer and we raised over $75,000 since 2010. This effort, along with my active membership, has led me to join the Our Clubhouse Board.
Inspired by another
member, I started a blog called Pittsburgh Perseverance which chronicles my
cancer journey and the journey of other young adults.
Until we find a cure for
cancer, we need to support places like Our Clubhouse where people impacted by this
disease can gather to cry, laugh, give advice, and share stories.
To continue to follow Marty's journey, check out his blog, Pittsburgh Perseverance
pittperseverance.tumblr.com
