What Cancer Cannot Do

Opening Ceremony, 11th Annual Komen Detroit Race for the Cure®, April 20, 2002 - by Nick Karmanos

At the 2002, Komen Detroit Race for the Cure®, Nick Karmanos represented families who have lost a loved one, as he shared his family's experience of the loss of his mother, Barbara Ann Karmanos, to breast cancer. Nick's remarks follow: "What Cancer Cannot Do"

"It is a testament to the courage of women, success of modern science and the tireless efforts of the community that we have so many breast cancer survivors here today. Its encouraging to see so many lives saved and so many families preserved.

Tragically this is not always the case. My mother was not able to defeat her breast cancer. Like millions of women, she fought bravely, but was taken from this world too soon.

My mother battled her cancer for eight years. Every day she faced her illness with dignity and courage. After her diagnosis, my father asked her what she wanted to do. He would sell the business. Anything she desired he would try to provide. What did she most want? What was her answer? She wanted things to be as they were before her cancer diagnosis. She would fight her cancer, but life would go on.

For the first seven years after her diagnosis, that is exactly what happened. She managed the house and took care of my brothers and me, while my dad ran the business. We could not have coped if it wasn't for my mother's courage. In the face of her personal turmoil, my mother provided comfort and normalcy for her family.

My mother's story is not unique. I am sure many of you have similar stories. My mother did not survive her cancer, but what will always survive is my memory of her and her love for life and family. Cancer can not take that from me. And cancer cannot take the memories of loved ones away from any of you either."