I, like many others, have seen first hand the pain, anguish, and suffering cancer brings, not only to those diagnosed, but also to their families, friends, and support network. 

I was born and raised in New Orleans and enjoyed an incredible, traditional childhood. In 1995, our lives were abruptly changed when my father was diagnosed with polycythemia vera, a form of blood cancer. For many years, despite countless challenges, his treatments kept his levels in range, but in 2008, his cancer advanced/mutated into myelofibrosis, a more severe form of blood cancer. The median life expectancy is 6 years. 

Fast forward several decades, thanks to research, the incredible team/staff at MD Anderson, trial drugs, and an amazing ecosystem of friends/family, he's still with us, enjoying his granddaughters, and smacking cancer right back (despite every day being a fight)! 

Unfortunately, countless people afflicted with cancer don't have the means, access to research, or support system to help them with the fight of their lives. That's where ACS comes in! 

Now that I'm back home in New Orleans with my wife and three daughters (#girldad) after a 14 year stint in New York City, I felt compelled to give back in honor of my dad and so many others. Our mission is simple... to help drive advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive this awful disease. 

I would be beyond grateful for your support to not only help me reach, but surpass, my goal in raising money for this amazing cause/organization.