It was received very well, except one person that told me I shouldn't talk about cancer at a holiday party because "It is too depressing to think about sick people at Christmas". To which I responded, some people don't have the choice. Anyways, here it is, I think it went well.
Hello and Good evening,
For those of you who don’t know
me, my name is Eamonn Conrad and I am a post-Doctoral fellow in Derek Gates lab
here at UBC. I like to start by thanking Dr. Perrin for giving me the
opportunity to speak at this great event tonight. I thought a lot about what I
was going to say tonight, but realized that I mainly would like to thank the
department for its support.
As many of you know, in January
2011 I was diagnosed with cancer (Ewings Sarcoma) and took a one year leave of absence to get
treatment at the BC Cancer Agency. This holiday party marks my one year anniversary
of returning to work. The support I received while on leave from the department,
were second to none. To me, it is moments of support like this that define
people and the places they work in, more so than any course offered, degree
granted or publication ever could. I am proud to work in a department where
support is always there for its students and colleagues in their time of need.
While in treatment I made it a
personal goal to give back to the research that saved my life, as well as many
others, and found a way to do this through The Ride to Conquer Cancer. This past June I rode my bike from Vancouver
to Seattle fundraising for the BC Cancer Foundation. I raised almost $5000 personally,
and the event raised $11.2 million for cancer research, making it the biggest
and most successful fundraiser of its type in Canada. I would like to thank
everyone in the department who donated last year. I am happy to report that
your dollars helped with some of the most recent breakthroughs in breast
cancer. Oncologists at the BCCA have discovered that breast cancer is not four
types of cancer as previously thought, but at
least 10. Though at the surface this
may seem troubling, this is allowing for more specific treatment to many people
and most importantly, saving people’s lives.
The Ride to Conquer Cancer not
only changed my life but no doubt saved it. Last Year, I rode for myself to
thank those who helped me. This year I have started my own team getting more
people involved and we are riding for everyone who cannot, so people will not
lose friends and family to this disease. I am riding because it makes a
difference. Many of you have already joined me in this fight – professors,
students, and even the CGSS with your donations and I am asking for others to
join as well because together we truly can make a difference in the lives of so
many people. Most importantly, this ride
gives people hope, which is really what the holidays are all about.
If you’re interested, please come
talk to me about it and join the fight - I would be happy to get anyone
involved, and don’t worry about contact info for it, I will be sending out
emails throughout the year! I hope tonight that I have convinced more of you to
take up this fight with me. Thank you again for those who already have
committed to this year, it is greatly appreciated, and to all the previous
donors who help make this event a success. My last request of tonight is that over
this holiday season reflect on what is important to you. If you feel this isn’t
the cause for you, I encourage you to find a cause this year that you are
passionate about and will make a difference in people’s lives. I guarantee you
will find it rewarding, and it will make a positive impact in peoples lives. I
will end with this, advice from one of Canadas and the CBCs comedian “Red
Green”, “keep your stick on the ice, we’re all in this together”.
Thank you.
Eamonn Conrad (www.conquercancer.ca/goto/eamonnc)
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