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Jim's Story
On his ninth birthday, Jim Cirone had a biopsy on his foot and was subsequently diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare cancer involving the bone and soft tissue that was first described in 1921 by Memorial Sloan-Kettering oncologist James Ewing.
But the young man did not let his illness limit him in any way.
His treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering included 18 months of chemo, as well as radiation and surgery. “This all happened back in 1974, when surgeons had just begun experimenting with limb salvaging techniques,” said Jim. “The doctors were able to take out the affected bones, remove a toe, and restructure my foot so that it would function, but they were not sure of the long-term results.”
Once he was declared cancer-free, Jim started swimming and fell in love with the sport. From the age of eleven until he graduated college, Jim swam competitively and played water polo.
“After college I took up cycling and running,” he said. “I just completed my second half-marathon, I’ve done numerous 100 mile-plus bike rides, and I’ve competed in triathlons. Ever since I walked away from MSKCC with a clean bill of health I have lived a very active life and I am very fortunate that I have had few limitations in what I could achieve.” Jim is currently part of The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study and is a patient of Dr. Oeffinger, director of MSK’s Program for Adult Survivors of Pediatric Cancer.
“Cancer survivors are at higher risk for certain complications that may affect us later in life, and these programs are helping the current survivors achieve their greatest quality of life, and will help future survivors,” he said. “I am fortunate that despite initial expectations, every day I can participate in the events that I love. The fact that Rock and Run supports survivorship makes it even more meaningful to me.”
Steve's Story: "Running Without Kidneys"
Steve Olsen, 55, is an avid runner, restaurant owner, and two-time survivor of stage III melanoma who had his kidneys removed in May 2007 as a result of polycystic kidney disease. After his kidney surgery, Steve vowed he would run again. "My mantra was '5K next May,'" he said. "That was my goal and focus. So when I picked up a New York Times in May of '08 and saw an ad for Rock & Run on the River, I knew it was a sign. A 5K survivorship event benefiting my hospital that takes place so close to my home -- I had to participate!"
Steve organized the West Bank Café team and had custom "Running Without Kidneys" T-shirts created for the event. "I dragged eleven people along with me, and off we went," he said. "I've run several marathons, but I felt more accomplished finishing Rock & Run than I did for any of the many races I've run. I might have been one of the last ones to finish, but it also brought me so much joy to do something that I love to benefit survivorship programs at the hospital that took such good care of me." |
"Thanks MSKCC for giving me another day every day!"