I remember so vividly my mother pacing back and forth trying to tell me that her sister and best friend, my Aunt Maggy, had been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. The news reverberated through my family like an earthquake as our lives changed forever in that moment. It was devastating to see how quickly the disease took hold of her. It was agonizing to see her battle through the pain the disease, chemotherapy and radiation brought on as she fought to her last breath.

While we hadn't met yet, my future wife’s family received the same distressing news around the same time that her uncle, Ed Gordon, was diagnosed with colon cancer and beginning his own fight for his life. He endured the same excruciating treatments as he waged an all-out war of his own against the disease that ultimately took his life.

Both magnetic personalities, it was inspiring to see how Maggy and Ed fought their battle with a smile, quick wit and perseverance that gave us hope they could beat the disease or would at least go down swinging.

I am fighting for Maggy.

I am fighting for Ed.

I am fighting for ovarian and colon cancer research.

I am fighting for the survivors and the loved ones lost along the way.