Don't Tell Me it's Good

Hypothyroidism, biopsies, scanxiety, hair falling out, tumors, hypocalcemia, medical bills, incurable.  It's cancer.  Don't tell me it's good.

Keep Running. Just Keep Running.

I don't know how I ever managed to get so lost in my running.  I can't pinpoint the first day that I found that zen-like place. I don't know how I found a comfortable stride and, though I know that  a chronic cancer condition is what made me start,  I'm not sure what made me keep going. I'm guessing it's learning to live with a disease.  When I run, there's something soothing about controlling my breath and it calms my soul.  I can lose myself for miles and miles without a negative thought or care in the world.  I love that.

I ran my first 5k at a Livestrong event and received a yellow survivor rose when I crossed the finish line.  That single moment changed the way that I would think about setting and meeting goals forever.  It took hard work and a determined mind to help me commit to my first organized race and finish and it took a good mental attitude to keep me on the course for the entire 3.1 miles.  I learned so much when I crossed the finish line that day.

Today, I retired my Brooks Ravennas. There are so many memories in a pair of shoes. They carried me for over a thousand miles: all around the neighborhoods surrounding my house, through my first marathon, lots of 5k's, two half marathons and, finally, the Goofy Challenge.  They also carried me through a lot of frustrations, fears, anger, and joy. I never knew that running could be such an awesome vent and I never knew that a pair of sneakers could mean so much.

The Goofy Challenge took place at Walt Disney World last weekend.  I ran back to back half and full marathons, totaling 39.3 miles over the course of two days.  I trained for months and ran through a lot of pain, sweat and sometimes even discouragement. I never, ever in a million years thought I would even attempt a distance run at that level.  Cancer didn't just change me; cancer challenged me.

I don't know what comes next for me.  Originally, my plan was to run a marathon.  It had always been a bucket list item and, when cancer came knocking on my door, I thought to myself, "oh man, I have to start doing all the things I always wanted to do." I didn't stop at a marathon, though.  I kept going.

It has been almost four years since my diagnosis.  My cancer has been stable for all of that time. I am so fortunate and I no longer think that I need to squeeze in all of the things that I want to do in a short period of time. I think I'm going to be on this earth for a very long time and I look forward to life's challenges and new adventures.  Bring on the next obstacle.  I'm ready to roll.

The Adventures of Watson and Crick

We're Moving On Up

We are excited to announce that mAss Kickers Foundation will soon be moving into the The San Diego Foundation building. We will be joining: The San Diego Film Commision, The San Diego Asian Film Foundation, I Love a Clean San Diego, Voice of San Diego, US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. The San Diego Foundation has numerous resources available for non-profit organizations. Please stop by and visit us at 

Liberty Station
The San Diego Foundation
2508 Historic Decatur Rd.
San Diego, CA 92106

More details to follow…

The 12 Days of Kick mAss

 On the 12th day of Kick mAss my doctor gave to me...

There is still time to Support unique mAss Kickers Foundation activities in 2013
http://www.stayclassy.org/charity/mass-kickers-foundation/c5205

• a patient reseach seminar in San Diego,
• a charity kickball tournament in San Diego,
• a paintball benefit in Michigan,
• INTERNATIONAL TUMORS SUCK DAY an international awareness campaign, and
• NEW EVENTS: a survivor speaking tour to Hawaii and the Philippines/Japan
• attending select cancer conferences
• a US Healthcare colleges/universities lecture tour

mAss Kickers 2012 Holiday Challenge

Everyday a tumor or cancer patient faces different challenges that make life a little more difficult.  This holiday season we ask you to symbolically challenge yourself while promoting mAss Kickers Foundation's mission to "provide support and motivation to newly diagnosed tumor/cancer patients and their loved ones."  You can symbolically join their fight by declaring a personal challenge to support them.  Think of it as an "early new year's resolution" with a charitable spin.  We are asking you to create a personal fundraising page and gather support from your family and friends for your personal challenge. 

All you need to do is click on the blue "BECOME A FUNDRAISER" button on the top right of this page AND declare...  

1. Who you are honoring with this challenge,
2. What you are doing
3. Why you are doing this challenge, 
4. How your friends/ family can support your challenge.

For example one might give up desserts in December to promote a healthy lifestyle to prevent the risk for cancer.  Or one might pledge to exercise at least 3 hours a week to honor a loved one's fight against a tumor or cancer.  This campaign is only limited by your creativity.  Ask your friends and family to show support for your challenge

The funds raised from this campaign will:
 1.  support unique 2013 MKF events

• a patient reseach seminar in San Diego,
• a charity kickball tournament in San Diego,
• a paintball benefit in Michigan,
• INTERNATIONAL TUMORS SUCK DAY an international campaign, and
• a NEW EVENT: a survivor speaking tour to the Philippines/Japan

2.   support tumor/cancer research via Stand Up 2 Cancer in 2013, and

3.  support MKF's vision to empower individuals to be proactive in the struggle against tumors and cancer.  

mAss Kickers Foundation is looking to secure our first official office space in 2013.  That is a HUGE STEP!  YOU CAN BE A PART OF THE NEXT PHASE OF MASS KICKERS FOUNDATION!

Tumors Suck stickers will be mailed to you upon creation of a fundraising page.  These unique stickers are a reminder of why you are taking up this challenge. PLEASE SHARE YOUR PHOTOS WITH US ON FACEBOOK! 

Click HERE TO JOIN THE CHALLENGE! 

2012 mAss Kickers Foundation Year In Review

2012 was a great year for mAss Kickers Foundation!

We started off 2012 at the E! Studios in Hollywood and saw a live taping of “The Soup”.  E! personality, Ken Baker was kind enough to give us a VIP tour of the E! Studios. 

In February, MKF Founder, Eric Galvez spoke at The Rehab Institute of Chicago about his experiences as a young physical therapist turned neuro rehab patient and offered unique advice in treating brain tumor patients.  Later in the month, MKF was at the C4YW conference in New Orleans represented by Heather Swift, Gayle Wismar, and Cindy Sanchez.  Also in February, Lyman Ng, and Brent Glova guest bartended at Local Habit with all tips going to mAss Kickers Foundation to sponsor the Kickball tournament!. 

In March, Heather Swift represented MKF again at the DanaFarber Conference for Young Adult Survivors.  That same weekend, we traveled to Ann Arbor to meet with Google Ann Arbor. Eric also spoke at the University of Michigan to the student groups: Lambda Phi Epsilon, the Filipino American Student Association, and 58 Greene.  Later in March, Eric spoke at his Alma Mater, the University of Michigan Flint Physical Therapy program about his experiences as a physical therapist turned neuro rehab patient.

In April, MKF sponsored our first basketball team in the FASAMI Sports league.  MKF was also represented in Las Vegas for the OMG Cancer Summit for Young Adults by San Diego based mAss Kickers.

In May, MKF teamed up with First Descents, Young Survival Coalition – San Diego chapter, Fin Forward, and International Alliance of Pilots 4 Patients for a bon fire.  In May, we also hosted the first mAss Kickers Charity KickBall Tournament in San Diego.  The winners of the tournament, the SoCal Riot took home the Inaugural Championship P.I.M.P. cups. 

In June, MKF teamed with the SAMFund and 24Hour fitness on an event called Fit2Survive.   Eric presented Dr. Steve Morris’s research findings on the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors.

In August, MKF hosted the fourth Annual TUMORS SUCK Paintball Benefit.  It has gotten bigger each year and >$11000 was raised!   Eric returned to University of Michigan -Flint Physical Therapy Program at the end of the month as a speaker at Doctor of Physical Therapy Hooding Ceremony.

In September, Eric traveled to Texas again to speak at University of Texas – Southwestern about his experiences as a young PT turned neuro rehab patient.  MKF also connected with Community Boost Consulting at the Stay Classy Collaborative in San Diego to help promote International TUMORS SUCK Day 2012.

In October MKF was represented at Fil-Am Fest in San Diego.  Later in the month, we teamed with Hawktober and Floyd’s 99 Barbershop to promote brain tumor awareness and show support for breast cancer patients.  On October 25, we hosted the International Tumors Suck Day Celebration of Life. This was an event for survivors to formally say thanks with toasts to our families, friends, and fellow survivors who stuck with us through the difficult times.  They transformed us into “thrivers”.

In November, we spear headed the creation of a mustache group for “Movember”, the Whiskered Warriors to literally show support for prostate cancer awareness..  MKF was also present at Critical Mass – The Young Adult Cancer Alliance conference.  Eric was also able to speak at Georgia State Physical Therapy Program.

This month, MKF is planning for 2013 events and activities!  We are already planning:

• a unique patient reseach seminar in San Diego,
• a charity kickball tournament in San Diego,
• a paintball benefit in Michigan,
• INTERNATIONAL TUMORS SUCK DAY an international campaign, and
• a NEW EVENT: a survivor speaking tour to the Philippines/Japan
• attending select conferences in 2013
• a US Healthcare colleges/universities lecture tour…

Please support mAss Kickers Foundation activities in 2013, Click here to step up to the challenge .