Tom’s Ride to Aid Cancer Survivors
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Stories
Joe’s Story (and why I started this ride)
I lost my older brother, Tom, to colon cancer on May 26, 2004. (Just writing those words wrenches my gut.) He left behind a loving and devoted wife, Laurie, and three wonderful children: Sara, Matthew and Mariah.
For seven long and arduous years, Tom battled his cancer vigorously. He was almost always in pain to one degree or another, yet he seldom complained. More often than not, he had a big smile on his face, or he was recalling some crazy antic of his younger years. The numerous hospital visits, radiation and chemotherapy treatments, and alternative therapies never deterred his hope of recovery.
The experience made him realize how precious our time on Earth is. To that end, he returned to his long-neglected love: motorcycling. Aside from spending time with his family, Tom loved nothing more than riding his bike down a twisty country road, far from the frenzied pace and tight confines of the city. And if a few of his buddies could join him, so much the better.
In 2002, Tom made plans to ride his bike around the country to raise money for cancer research, as well as to raise awareness of the need for cancer treatment that is specific to an individual’s need. Unfortunately, his cancer became more aggressive and Tom spent more time in the hospital than out. He never had the chance to take that ride.
Being an avid motorcyclist myself, I joined him on many of his country rides. Over the few years we shared on the road, our bond grew stronger, and I realized that Tom was not only my brother, but one of my best friends. Shortly after his passing, I had the idea of finishing what he had started. Emotionally, I wasn’t prepared to take on the task at that point. Even now, the prospect of driving around the United States on a fundraising ride is somewhat daunting. That’s why I plan to start small with a three-day New England ride. The first ride started on Saturday, June 30, 2007 and ended on Tom’s birthday on Monday, July 2, 2007.
I had never organized anything of this sort, so my plan was to keep it as simple as possible. Tom left his bike in my care, a red Suzuki Bandit 1200, so it was only fitting that I used it for the Ride. Tom’s wife and youngest daughter, Laurie and Mariah, got their motorcycle licenses in 2006 and joined me. Two friends of Tom’s joined us for the first day and then it was just us three. We purposely didn’t want others to accompany us on on the first Ride—this was a very personal journey for all of us. Starting in 2008, we welcome any who wish to join us—just remember that all expenses are the responsibility of the rider.
With so much focus put on cancer research, cancer survivors seem to be forgotten. I have witnessed firsthand how important physical comfort and emotional support are to the quality of life for both the survivor and the loved ones who share this journey with them. Therefore, all donations collected from Tom’s Ride will benefit various charities that provide support to cancer survivors.
For the first year’s recipient, I chose a local charity, CuzWeCare. CuzWeCare was started in late 2004 by Laurie’s aunt and uncle, John & Fay, largely in Tom’s honor. CuzWeCare’s mission is to provide comfort to cancer survivors, dialysis patients and children in need. In addition to comfort pillows, they also make polar fleece pillowcases for those patients who are undergoing radiation treatments or chemotherapy treatments. They have volunteer groups knitting and crocheting chemo caps, making polar fleece caps, and crocheting lap afghans.
The recipient for 2008 will be another Connecticut charity, The Center for Cancer Care Fund, which was created to assist and support cancer patients residing or receiving care in northwest Connecticut. The Fund supports cancer patients with care, treatment, education, and prevention programs. They provide financial assistance to patients for emergencies such as food, rent, transportation, utilities, medications and other needs as determined by clinicians and case managers. Tom actually received treatment from the Center and they were quite helpful to him when he needed it most.
Beginning in 2009, we have been lucky enough to get one of Tom’s surgeons, Dr. Harold Wanebo, to create The Tom Grunske Fund for Cancer Survivors and Their Families. This Fund will be the recipient for Tom’s Ride from this year forward. In keeping with our focus, 100% of donations received by The Tom Grunske Fund will be used to support families in need due to the disruption cancer has caused in their lives. From mortgage payments and utility bills to food to medication co-pays and basic household needs, a family’s financial responsibilities become increasingly difficult to meet...and often simply cannot be met. Though unable to eradicate cancer, The Tom Grunske Fund will help to provide comfort to financially-burdened families.
Tom wanted more than anything to make a difference. With your help, we can still accomplish his goal. I’m asking for your financial support of this worthy organization in his honor. You can research them on the Internet at the web address I’ve provided on the Links page. Please give what you can comfortably afford. Take a moment now to help a cancer survivor and make a donation.
For more information, you can reach me by e-mail: JoeG (at) TomsRide (dot) org.
