In January of 2002 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Metastatic Melanoma Cancer, for which there is less than a 50% rate of survival.

Considering my young age and the fact that I am a father of 4 children, this was not a happy prospect. The next 2 years were difficult—during this time I underwent 4 surgeries, and had a 3- month Immuno Therapy treatment.

I prayed not just for healing, but for a stronger body and better fitness than I had ever had before. I could think of nothing more physically challenging than to compete in a Triathlon, so I made that my fitness goal! One and a half years later—I got my miracle, placing 11th in the Tai-Dong Triathlon.

Out of these personal battles developed the Live Right program, which promotes healthy living for the purpose of cancer prevention, as well as a much improved Triathlon record! I have a motivational speaking ministry, and also spread the Healthy Living campaign through sports events and the media.

It all began when I was approached by a sports and cycling magazine to give an interview about my cancer recovery that ended up being published as a feature story.

The magazine published a four page color spread, relating my story in detail of how I survived third stage cancer and went on to become one of the top competing tri-athletes in the country, and highlighting that it was my faith that pulled me through.

The Editor suggested that I start my own sport team so that it will not be just about me as a person but rather a movement or a campaign for health and wellbeing. (He has since asked me to write a regular column on health and fitness for the magazine.)

During the next few weeks it seemed that everyone I talked to or met while out either had cancer themselves or a relative or friend they knew had it. One woman I met told me, “Although they are spending millions of dollars on cancer research, almost no-one is telling people how to prevent it!” That sentence flashed out to me as if it was the “burning bush” itself speaking.

We came up with the name for our new team….Team LIVE RIGHT! And the five basics of our Healthy Living campaign…Eat right, sleep right, exercise right, think right, and speak right! The goal is to teach people to live healthy and Godly lives while at the same time highlighting the negative influences: greed, addiction, lethargy and fear, all of which destroy bodies and cause misery and sickness to abound.

The response and support has been incredible. Team LIVE RIGHT has the sponsorship of a high-tech biking firm, supplying us with the gear that in for our racing and sports team. A color hand-out centering on my story is disseminated at races and sporting events that we take part in.

Another element of our Healthy Living Campaign is a seminar that we offer on the topic of Cancer Prevention, the “Live Right Seminars”. When I am invited to give a lecture, our LIVE RIGHT team to these cities is part of the promotion for the event.

I recently placed first, third, fourth, and sixth in a number of triathlons and other races held around the Country, meeting top people in the sport and business industries as well as the government.

The Far Reaching Effects of our Ministry – Some time back, I met a doctor who specialized in sports injuries, and unbeknownst to me, he had leukemia. Shortly thereafter this doctor seemed to just disappear. Recently, one of our volunteers tore a ligament and chipped an ankle bone, so we again attempted to contact this sports doctor. We were thrilled to locate him, and asked where he had been for the past 8 months. He told us his story:

“I was diagnosed with a curable leukemia, but it meant a painful, lonely, and prolonged hospital stay. At one point I felt I couldn’t take it anymore and wished to quit the treatments and just give up. But then one of my friends brought me a magazine about biking. I am an avid biker and before my illness and biked about once a month.

“I found your story in the magazine and it gave me courage to hold on and fight of health. I felt if you could do it, I can too. My life has so changed now and I have a clear focus. I bike at least 4 times a week, and have changed my schedule so I work less hours and put more time into enjoying my family. Thank you for writing that article.”