It Only Takes One is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. ​

It was a Saturday afternoon in August of 1981—some 41 years ago—but it seems quite fresh in my mind. I had gone to play golf with my cousin that day. The round of golf was uneventful other than the fact I was feeling quite tired and struggled to finish the round. I had felt quite lethargic that entire summer and an overly-cautious mother resulted in a visit to the doctor a few weeks prior for a check-up and some routine blood work. A subsequent call for a return visit drastically changed the course of my life. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ("ALL") was the diagnosis and treatment had to begin immediately. I was 13 years old and words like leukemia and cancer were not a part of my vocabulary but I could tell from the way my mother, family, and friends reacted the diagnosis was quite serious.

Within 48 hours, my mom and I were on a private plane owned by a close family friend, Dan Gordman, en-route to the The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to commence my treatment. To this day, I believe he is one of the three people responsible for saving my life. Upon our arrival, I was checked into St. Mary's Hospital where I met the second person on that list, Dr. Gerald Gilchrist. Although it was clear to me that my diagnosis was quite serious, I never contemplated my mortality. I was young and naive and it was not until many years later that I asked the question and realized the five year survival rate for the illness I faced was a mere 36.8%. Shortly after my admission into the hospital, my aunt gave me a poster which read, "A winner never quits and a quitter never wins." That poster has become the tagline by which I live my life.

The ensuing years consisted of treatment in both Omaha and Rochester. I was part of an experimental protocol that consisted of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. I will spare you the details, but suffice it to say it was the most uncomfortable, painful, and agonizing experience you can imagine—and then multiply that by a factor of ten. It was a very difficult time during which my mom ascended to become the third person on the list. Without her courage and ability to stand firm in the face of adversity, I would not be alive today. The net of the story is shortly after commencing my treatment at the Mayo Clinic, my leukemia was in remission and some five years later Dr. Gilchrist told me I could consider myself cured—one of the lucky ones.

For many years, I didn't share my medical history with anyone. I left for college, and in essence, left my leukemia behind. It was not until about 15 years ago I realized my successful battle with leukemia can serve as hope and an inspiration for newly-diagnosed patients and their families. At a recent Leukemia and Lymphoma Society event, I shared my story with a mother whose thirteen-year-old son had been recently diagnosed with ALL. We talked about the fact I was a 41-year leukemia survivor and there was no reason to think her son would not be the same. As she thanked me for sharing my story I felt a renewed sense of hope and confidence in her outlook. It is this type of experience that served as the catalyst for launching It Only Takes One.

I am living proof leukemia can be beaten and your donations make a difference and save lives. Survival rates for leukemia continue to increase, and with your help, a cure is within reach. I hope you share my passion for finding a cure and remember—It Only Takes One from each of us to get there.  

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