I’ll do my best to get your support.

I was awake before sunrise on Labor Day, assembling my running gear. I quickly donned my shorts, tee shirt, running shoes, and earphones. On the way out the door, I filled my water bottle, grabbed my phone, and wrapped my watch around my wrist. I tuned into my 1000 best rock songs Sirius station, set the watch to “Outside Run,” and hit the street at dawn.

Listening to tunes from Hotel California to Sweet Home Alabama I circled through the neighborhood at a steady ten and a half minutes per mile. Three times I passed a dead skunk in the road, its odor pushing me forward with each lap. I sidestepped the remnants of the ancient tree that last week’s violent storm had smashed across the sidewalk. Other than the skunk and tree debris, the roadway was mine. There were no neighbors, dogs, or coyotes to share my route.

I swore I had done my last run two years ago. My body parts do not recover as easily from the pavement pounding as they did in my youth and middle age. Pedaling on my aging elliptical machine is a gentler way to raise my heart rate.

So why was I stressing out my hips, knees, and ankles at 6 a.m. on a holiday morning? September is here, and in two weeks I plan to participate with hundreds of others in the Zero Prostate Cancer 5K fundraising run through Chicago’s Lincoln Park. I have reversed my “no running decision” and am in training.

I am doing this because of my deep personal and professional relationship with prostate cancer. My dad, Harold Raff, bravely succumbed to the disease when he was 80 and I was 37. In the final 16 years of my career, I spent countless hours at my UroPapartners microscope, reading thousands of prostate biopsies and diagnosing prostate cancer. Almost two years after retirement I still see the malignant glands in my sleep.

Through UroPartners, I discovered Zero Prostate Cancer (in Chicago, formerly SEABlue.) This nationwide organization provides “access to lifesaving information and support, connect with others in the prostate cancer community, and take action to ZERO out prostate cancer.” Currently, over 2300 men and their families are benefitting from the support, education, and advocacy of Zero. The organization is a blessing to men with prostate cancer and their loved ones.

With SEABlue and Zero, I have participated in prostate cancer fundraising events for at least a dozen years. Some years I have run, some years I have walked, and last year I watched the rain. Whatever my plans, I have always asked my readers for support and you have responded.

I want your help and don’t mind stressing out my various body parts to earn it. By clicking this link you can go to the Zero Prostate Cancer website. There you can donate to me and the Raff Riders team. You can help us surpass our fundraising goal. Each contribution is very much appreciated by the universe of prostate cancer victims and their families.

I’ll keep lacing up my running shoes and I know you will continue to support this worthy cause.

Thank you.

Click HERE to donate.