What One Man Can Do For Cancer

In my online journalism class, we talk about social media all the time and how social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook are taking over mainstream news outlets.

There are people out their who can’t stomach this thought and can’t stomach the different renovations Facebook has gone through since it first came out in 2004.

I’m hear to tell you to stop knocking Facebook, and here’s why.  Back when my father was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2008, I became a fan of the “LIVESTRONG” page on Facebook.

I wrote my dad’s story on the group wall and within in a day I got a reply from a man who lives in North Carolina but has become a friend.  His name is John Zeidner.

John sent me a message on Facebook and told me how his mom was battling lung cancer as well.  He then told me he was an advocate for LiveStrong in Carolina, and if there was anything he could do for me to let him know.

John's mom, Vivian.

Over the course of his mom and my dad’s cancer battles, we were able to stay in touch with one another through Facebook messages.  I found out John’s dad had also died from cancer when John was 14.

After having cancer affect his family again with his mother, John wasn’t just going to sit there and ask, “Why did this happen to my family again?”  Instead, he became an advocate for cancer research and fundraising, so that no other family would have to go through what John’s family did twice.

“I think fundraising for cancer fighting organizations like The Lance Armstrong Foundation is extremely important because cancer effects just about everyone we know.

"Whether it’s ourselves or our loved ones or friends or neighbors, at any given time it seems we all know someone battling cancer. An American dies of cancer every single minute of every single day. That’s about 1,500 Americans every day.

"Not only does fund-raising help generate much needed money for people currently fighting cancer, others that are living after their cancer treatments, and for vital medical research to find cures, it also raises awareness of the disease in our communities, schools, churches and workplace and the need for all of us to do our part to make a difference.” - John Zeidner

Before I get to the story of the latest way John raised money for cancer, John’s mother, Vivian, passed away this past January surronded by family and friends.

John and his sister kept a blog of Vivian’s life throughout her battle with cancer.  I advise you to check it out because it really will teach you how to enjoy life.

On April 20, 2009, in Boston, Mass., it was Patriots Day.  Not only does Patriots Day include an 11:05 Red Sox start, but it also includes the 26.2 mile Boston Marathon.  Thanks to John, my dad was the