In late January 2003, Alex Corckran learned that his wife was pregnant with their first child. On that same day, what many would consider the most joyous time of their lives, the then 32-year-old Corckran found out he had lymphoma, cancer of the lymph nodes.
“It certainly was a day of mixed emotions,” he said.
While his wife, Sara, was dealing with the trials of pregnancy, Corckran was undergoing chemotherapy treatments that “left me feeling good one week, then sick another.” He was receiving his toughest treatment while his wife he giving birth.
Yet through it all, the Annapolis resident said he was never discouraged or pessimistic. In fact, his daughter was one of the major motiviators to pull through the cancer.
“You’ve got to have something to look forward to, a thing to hope for, and she was it,” Corckran said.
Another motivator was cycling phenom Lance Armstrong, himself a cancer survivor. An avid cyclist, Corckran was inspired by Armstrong’s victories at the Tour de France.
That inspiration has led Corckran to Sunday’s Lymphoma Research Ride, where he and about 120 other mostly cancer-surviving cyclists will trek 50 miles to raise research money.
“He is part of the inspiration for what we’re doing,” said Bruce Cheson, director of hematology services at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The event has already exceeded expectations, doubling anticipated participation and donations ($300,000), said Cheson, one of the event’s organizers.
“These are amazing folks, and everybody has an amazing story how they went through the disease,” Corckran said.
Lymphoma is only one of two cancers growing in diagnosis, and has the fifth highest mortality rate among cancers, Cheson said.
While great progress has been in the last 30 years, raising the survival rate to 92 percent, more needs to be done to find cures for the 30 variations of the cancer.
“We need to learn more about why this cancer occurs,” Cheson said. “Life goes on for these people and with increase support, life can go on for many other people.”
Since his bone marrow transplant, Corckran has been cancer-free. And his family has expanded to include another daughter.
“With the second pregnancy, it was my wife’s turn for attention,” Corckran said.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Lymphoma Research Ride
WHEN: 8 a.m. Sunday
WHERE: Poolesville High School, 17501 Willard Road, Montgomery County
