- Subscribe to my blog via RSS
- Connect with me on LinkedIn
- Connect with me on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
Listen to internet radio with RemissionMan on Blog Talk Radio
Archives
- October 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- December 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- November 2020
- September 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- February 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- December 2008
- October 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- September 2007
- August 2007
- April 2007
- January 2007
Categories
Tags
50 fit tips bendeka be well philly big climb philly blood cancer brad schoener cancer cancer survivors chemotherapy chesapeakeman chronic lymphocytic leukemia cll crozer keystone cycling endurance sports expo ethan zohn ford ironman world championship grassroot soccer headstrong foundation ing nyc marathon ironman leukemia & lymphoma society liberty sports magazine Lls man of the year marathon motivation nyc marathon Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon philadelphia magazine philadelphia marathon philly health watch racing racing for reasons racing for recovery remission remissionman rituxan running survivor team in training training triathlon two oceans ultra marathon world triathlon corporation-
Recent Comments
- Robert A Mina on Cancer’s Give and Take
- M.L. Sicoli on Cancer’s Give and Take
- Joseph Romano on Cabrini University Healing Mass
- Jim Vail on Cabrini University Healing Mass
- Steve on Funk #9 & All Things Must Pass
The Thing About Derek
Many of you have been following the journey of Derek Fitzgerald. Derek is a Philadelphia area cancer survivor and a heart transplant recipient who has turned obstacle into opportunity, and limitation into victory.
I first met Derek 4 years ago through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program where as a survivor living with chronic leukemia, I get much joy in coaching their triathlon program. Derek had been training for his first half marathon and we were connected at the race expo in Philly. His enthusiasm impressed me. And as he talked about his future goals in the endurance sports world, his dreams impressed me as well. I would quickly learn that Derek’s dreams were not dreams at all. They were calculated and well thought out plans.
As a guy who has raced over a dozen ironman triathlons and at that time 24 marathons, those kind of accomplishments don’t typically impress me very easily. But Derek impressed me. I think it was the pure joy and excitement that he radiated having been given a third chance in life.
Derek’s race resume continued to grow from century rides, to marathons, and ultimately to the ironman. I had the pleasure of coaching Derek when he again came through our Team in Training’s triathlon program. And we’ve had the opportunity to work together or support one another on a number of initiatives in the blood cancer community.
Most recently, Derek was given the golden opportunity to represent Team in Training at the Ironman World Championship in Kona. Derek represented and did so with pride. He represented TNT. He represented Penn Medicine. He represented himself. He represented his amazingly supportive family. And most importantly, he represented the one person who has made it all possible. A person he will never know, but one Derek has made it his mission to honor – his donor.
So the thing about Derek is that he has accomplished all this with a quiet and unassuming sense of humility and appreciation. Derek has given a face and yes, a beating heart, to the word miracle. He marches on to his meet his next challenge while thanking those around him who have gotten him this far.
And he does this not for accolades. He does this because he feels it’s what he needs to do. He does this because he wants people to understand that in life, all things are possible.
In life, miracle can happen. They happened to Derek Fitzgerald.