A Report on “The 2nd Annual Bile Duct Cancer Walk”
In Memory of Levan Gray
On April 3rd 2010, Silicon Valley Women Association participated in The 2nd Annual Bile Duct Cancer Walk in Shoreline Park, Mountain View. This is the only fundraiser of its kind for this rare cancer. 277 people walked together in 5 locations in CA, FL, MD, and WI and raised total of $13,072. The entire fund goes to Johns Hopkins University in supporting of the cutting edge work led by Pathologist Dr. Pedram Argani for early detection and treatments of bile duct cancer.
Philip Shaller, Derek Ginger, & Paul Ernst in CA, Lynne Sater & Jim Tell in WI, and Michael Crowley in FL have gathered to support this walk. All of them are living with the daily fight against this deadly disease and winning with every step! Although another BDC patient – beloved Levan Gray was unable to join the walk and passed away later on May 10th, her fighting spirit and her love to life has been a great inspiration to all. All of them and their families are grateful for the supports of all the walkers and donors, Paul Ernst's wife Gerri so eloquently stated her gratitude in this way:
"Just a note to thank you and all who participated in the walk for all of your love and effort in making our 2010 walk a reality. Wasn't it amazing how the weather gave us some momentary reprieve from the rains? Living with cancer is alot like that...claiming those reprieves between challenges...even if its a momentary smile or an afternoon without discomfort. I've certainly learned to squeeze all the delight or comfort I can from the simplest and most fleeting moments! Seeing all of you for that short time was one of those "memory makers". Your kindness and tenacity filled the whole family with renewed hope. Please know that "currency" is being collected right along with the hard earned dollars for Johns Hopkins. We spend it each time we live with the surprises of this disease with a little more peace or grace. Thank you again. "
When there is hope, there can be miracles. Let’s continue to work on the renewing of hope.
