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Prof to cycle 100 miles in cancer fund-raiser
1:30 p.m., Aug. 11, 2006--In March of 2003, John Scholz, UD associate professor of physical therapy, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a deadly form of pancreatic cancer. At the time, Scholz was scheduled to give a talk in Santa Barbara, Calif., but his oncologist discouraged him from going, questioning if he would still be alive. Scholz said he was struck at the thought that he had to change his life because of the disease. “When I thought about it, I got angry,” Scholz said. “If I don't win, okay, I don't win, but I'm going to try everything I can to beat it.” Scholz defied his doctor and went to the conference. “It was one of the best things I did,” he said. Scholz continued to live his life as he chose despite strong drug treatments, which left him sick and fatigued. An athlete all his life, he exercised and maintained a healthy diet to preserve his strength while finding solace in meditation. In 2004, Scholz was rediagnosed with neuroendrocine cancer, a type of pancreatic cancer for which there are better treatments and a more optimistic prognosis. Scholz said he often wonders if he would still be alive had he accepted the original diagnosis, which gave him just months to live. “In a way, I've been blessed because this cancer is not as aggressive,” he said. While Scholz has a rare form of cancer, his current drug treatment does not have side effects that are as harsh and so allow he to continue with his life as an educator, something he refused to give up, as well. “I could sit and feel sorry for myself and give up on certain things but my attitude has been to continue with my life and not let this diagnosis rule my life and find a way of beating it,” he said. ”So far, it's been working.” Scholz has continued his studies of movement and coordination recovery after a stroke. Using a grant from the National Institutes of Heath, Scholz and other faculty members and graduate students are working to develop a device that will aid patients in their recovery. “There have been slow days, and sometimes I am not that productive, but I've been staying involved,” he said. “I feel very blessed and lucky.” Scholz has let cancer change one part of his life, however. His interest in cycling and admiration for cancer survivor and cyclist Lance Armstrong provided him with inspiration to fight his disease. Scholz said his daughter came across the Livestrong Challenge, a series of races in five different cities that raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Participants can walk, run or ride in the challenge, and are given training tips and encouragement leading up to the race. Scholz said his daughter convinced him to bike 100 miles in the Livestrong Philadelphia challenge on Sept. 10. “It's a way of giving back because I've been doing well and had good care,” he said. Scholz has pledged to raise $15,000 for the foundation before the September race. He has been training since May, riding 30 miles a day four or five days a week. Scholz said funding for cancer research has been cut significantly over the last couple of years. Armstrong's personal commitment to raise money for cancer, Scholz said, has inspired him to join the cause. “All of us at some point in our lives are affected by cancer,” he said. “I think it's a worthwhile cause.” Scholz said his background in medicine allowed him to understand research and studies about his cancer and to ask questions. “I think the oncologists hated when they saw me coming because I was always probing and really questioning them,” he said. Scholz hopes that research will eventually uncover better treatments for cancer patients, and he now gives advice and encourages fellow patients to push for answers and to find ways to live as normal a life as possible with their disease. Scholz said he is grateful for the direction his treatment is going and for the encouragement he has received. “Keeping active and refusing to give up hope have made a big difference in my fight against this disease,” he said. “But the tremendous support of family, friends and colleagues has been particularly encouraging. I have sensed a unity of spirit that has given me tremendous strength in this struggle." Donations for the Livestrong challenge can be made on the foundation's web site in Scholz's name. Forms also are available on the web site to mail in donations. For more information or to make a donation in Scholz's name, visit [www.livestrongchallenge.org/06PA/johnscholz]. Article by Julia Parmley, AS 07 |
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