Derek Skapars

 

H4H: WHY I FIGHT

 

PUNCHES & PROMISES

 

Growing up a brother of 3 here in Massachusetts was a wild ride. There were laughs, cries, and plenty of treasured moments to look back on. With a little sister Holly, younger brother Ryan, and older brother Sean, there was never a dull moment at home. It wasn’t until 2001 when my younger brother’s lung cancer shocked us all. I was going to college at Arizona State University at the time (until I graduated in 2005 –the year my brother died). My priorities changed along with Sean’s, Holly’s, Mom’s, and Dad’s. We realized we all were affected by Ryan’s diagnosis. Treatment started at Dana-Farber in Boston, Massachusetts and my Brother Ryan’s final moments took place at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts as well. He fought hard and now it’s my turn to fight hard. 

 

Although I was remote during the diagnosis period, I was in charge of coming home from Arizona 3 to 4 times a semester to stand by Ryan’s side after each one of his 10 surgeries and appointed care-taker unofficial by Ryan himself. So that’s what I did. I feel like every round of chemo he went through, I went through. But also I saw an amazing side of Ryan during being his caretaker. His side always leaned toward ….Life is precious, there is always hope, family & friends shine when you’re sick…he would often say. Treatment for him was taxing on his body but certainly not on his mind. It actually strengthened his mind and, even with cancer, he taught a lot of people how to smile more and not sweat the small stuff. I can remember when the clinical trial division at Dana-Farber met with my Dad, Ryan, and I to discuss a new kind of chemo when at the corner of his eye he saw a nurse just recently featured on a video that all Dana-Farber patients and families saw, and said to the nurse with a smile full of enthusiasm, “Jackie, I saw you on TV! It was great…you’re a movie star now…. ". He made her day, she was on cloud nine after that.  So I had two options at this point: 1.) Throw a pity party and become depressed, or 2.) Joke around, laugh a lot, and with strong family and friends fight cancer with my brother Ryan. I chose option number 2.

 

When we went to chemo usually in the summers, it was every day. Being close in age helped because we would watch movies, talk about sports, eat lunch, and try and laugh the pain and hurt cancer causes away. I saw an immense amount of support from Ryan’s friends (many who I played Lacrosse with in High School). It was simply unreal. The kind gestures as well as support, and genuine acts of niceness showed me how beautiful this world can be. I would like to continue Ryan’s battle and for a cancer free future by fighting in H4H’s Fight night May 15, 2019 at 7:30pm @ The House of Blues in Boston, Massachusetts.

 

I expect to raise way past the $7500 in donations to help with cancer research, Dana-Farber upgrades, and patient support. Each surgery costed about $10K and a lot of Massachusetts residences recently diagnosed with cancer just can’t afford it. So getting in the ring, fighting a fight I know will help kick cancer’s butt, as well as inspiring others to honor their loved ones is why I am doing what I am doing.