It is hard to believe, but it is once again time for our Bladder Cancer Awareness Walk, and due to the precautions that we are taking because of COVID -19, the walk will be virtual this year. Over the past 11 years, I’ve started this email with the following: ‘I know that there a hundreds of charities you can support, but I am asking you to consider supporting Bladder Cancer Canada (BCC). WHY? Because Bladder Cancer is the 5th most common cancer in Canada, ranks 21stin research funding and 12,000 new patients will be diagnosed this year!
Originally, my intention was to write about some of the successes that have been accomplished in bladder cancer research with the funds that you have made possible, through your support. In fact, Dr. Peter Black, the Chair of Bladder Cancer Canada’s Medical Advisory and Research Boards, recently presented to the BCC Board the significant breakthroughs that are being made. Recently Dr. Girsh Kulkarni, Vice Chair of BCC’s Medical Research Board presented a webinar (available on the website) dealing with clinical trials – I highly recommend taking the time to watch it.
But last month, a good friend of mine, Paul Unterman, passed away from complications, following the removal of his bladder 12 years ago. Paul was a great guy, a wonderful friend, a past BCC Board Member and super volunteer on so many fronts – above all he was the beloved husband to Dorothy for 40 years, a dedicated father to Caitlin and Aaron and a loving grandfather to their children.
It is these children – our children and grandchildren – that I would like you to keep in mind as you consider supporting my fundraising efforts again this year. It’s why I continue to raise money for this important cause year after year – because my own personal story has impacted my own wife, children and grandchildren. I’ve been so fortunate to have a different outcome than Paul’s (I celebrated my 80th birthday this past weekend!) and I know that together, we can make a difference for the 80,000 Canadians living with bladder cancer. We can ensure better treatment plans with higher success rates and hopefully create a world where bladder cancer is just a memory – for our children and grandchildren.
It was so much gratitude that I thank you in advance for supporting Bladder Cancer Canada.
Sincerely,
David Guttman
To sponsor me please click on the link below! Your donation is tax deductible ($18.00 and above).
Want to join our virtual walk? Register at www.BCCwalk.ca
Did you know? The story of Bladder Cancer Canada (BCC) began with two people just like you – or perhaps like your loved ones who have bladder cancer – David Guttman and Jack Moon. Their medical teams tended to the disease in their bodies, but they needed other bladder cancer patients to talk to about their fears and uncertainty, and help them find up-to-date information about diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis. In 2009, they formed Bladder Cancer Canada to help other Canadians with their bladder cancer journey.
