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The fund-raising events were a HUGE success . . . thanks to everyone! S P O H N C
Support for People with Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer  Hello! Many thanks for visiting the first-ever skate4spohnc website! My name is Rick, and I will be your host for this inaugural event.
On September 20, 2009, I will don my in-line skates and skate 100 kilometers in an attempt to bring attention to a disease that I have come to know personally over the last two years. Head and neck cancer is the name given to a wide variety of malignant tumors that can occur in the mouth and throat region. In August of 2007, I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on the right side of the tongue. Under the care of a terrific oncologist and mirco-plastic surgeon, I had the tumor removed, with the hope of eliminating the cancer. Unfortunately, that was not the ultimate outcome. Since that time, I have had two additional tumors in the same area, resulting in two subsequent surgeries plus a six-week radiation treatment in between. I am currently cancer free and hope to stay that way for the rest of my life.
They say there is a silver lining inside every dark cloud. For me, that silver lining was SPOHNC.
SPOHNC is a patient-directed, self-help organization committed to meeting the needs of oral, head and neck cancer patients and survivors. Founded by oral cancer survivor Nancy Leupold in 1991, SPOHNC is a nationwide organization of support groups that addresses the broad spectrum of emotional, physical and humanistic needs of those who have been diagnosed with some form of oral, head and neck cancer.
I joined a SPOHNC support group here in Dallas in February of this year and it has changed and enriched my life in a way that I never expected. I am deeply grateful and I want to give back to the organization that has given so much to me. I hope you’ll join me in this effort to support a great cause…and have a little fun in the process.
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