Market: Houston

Athlete: Craig Crow (Rice Management Co.)

I’m a first time competitor in the inaugural D10 competition coming to Houston in November and when Dave and the team asked me to describe my motivation behind being involved, I thought it’s simple – January 26th, 2008.

I have never written publicly about my father’s death, much less talk about it with family and friends, but it’s been 8.5 years since my father passed away after his fight with cancer. He was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in July of 2003 and battled through 4.5 years of chemotherapy and radiation, separated by 2 remissions, ultimately succumbing to metastatic bone cancer. I respected and loved my father dearly before his illness, but was so proud and in awe of him for the man he became during his illness - he fought with courage, fervor, dignity, determination, but most of all … hope. Hope that he would get through it and ultimately, a hope that no one else would have to go through the kind pain and suffering that he experienced. The latter still remains only a hope and too many continue to participate in their own January 26th experience – substitute a name, place, cancer type – and it doesn’t get any easier, only more heartbreaking. For those who are fortunate enough to be called cancer survivors - which includes my dear mother, who braved 30+ radiation treatments after being diagnosed with DCIS in 2005 and is currently in remission – the permanency of their status is anchored with that hope becoming a reality. Is there a more bold or noble pursuit than trying to achieve that reality? For me, I can’t think of one, especially when it’s focused on the people who need it most - kids - and that’s exactly where this event concentrates. 100% of donations from The D10 Houston event go to MD Anderson Cancer Center, specifically the POETIC program that supports clinical development of new pediatric cancer treatments. MD Anderson’s motto is “making cancer history” and its mission is to eliminate cancer… It’s easy to get motivated behind that type of cause.

In regards to my dad, he is always with me – that type of courage, grit, and resolve stays with a person. My hope is that no one has to experience their own January 26th and this competition is a small-step forward in support of that goal. So here’s to you pops, here’s to you mom and all the cancer survivors out there, and especially here’s to the folks that are currently enduring the unfathomable with tremendous courage and hope.

We bring it for you.

--Craig