Barb's
Team
She was Bib number 1945 on that day back in July 2001. Like the other 2000+
athletes lining up on the starting line of Ironman USA, Barbara Janz was excited; it was her first Ironman race. Unfortunately,
it would also be her only Ironman race. She was 38 years old and it was going
to be the start of a new chapter in her life. During that journey that consisted
of 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking and 26.2 miles of running, and that took her 11 hours, 59 minutes and 25 seconds,
she touched many people. These individuals would later remember her courage and
zest for life that carried her through. Soon, however, she came face to face
with a new competitor…CANCER. This was to be very short race and sadly,
she was quickly beaten. But true to her character, Barbara held on to her courage
and zest for life until the very end.
In
late December 2003, Barbara was diagnosed with Stage four lung cancer and in less than three months, on March 14th, this deadly
disease took her life. So what makes Barbara different? Cancer is becoming a routine way of life. The statistics are
overwhelming:
- In 2001, there were 553,768 deaths in the US due to cancer.
- For Cancer Deaths that are estimated to occur in 2004, Lung Cancer will be the most fatal
cancer for both men & women
- It is estimated that 1.37 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2004.
Optimistically, the survival rate for all cancers combined and
for certain site-specific cancers have improved significantly since the 1970s, due in part, to both earlier detection and
advances in treatment. Survival rates markedly increased for cancers of the prostate,
ovary, breast, colon and rectum, and for leukemia. With new treatment techniques and increased utilization of screening, there
is renewed hope for even greater improvements in the not-too-distant future.
Barbara is not different from anyone else who has/is suffering with cancer. However,
she is a striking reminder not to take life for granted. It is for this reason
that a group of over ten athletes are undertaking the 2005 Ironman Lake Placid (Ironman USA) Challenge, as Barb’s Team. It is the Teams’ goal to raise $100,000
for research for the American Cancer Society to highlight Barb’s short but fruitful life and to give hope to all those
fighting cancer.
Your
pledge will be a tax deductible donation to help fight the multiple varieties of this deadly disease. Your support could help a loved one, friend or co-worker in their battle against cancer. Cancer can strike anyone, even strong athletes like Barbara Janz.
Let’s fight together to win the battle against cancer!
For
additional information, please contact Monika Hill - Monika.Hill@Pindar.us.com
Donations can be
mailed to: Barb Janz Memorial Fund
c/o Steve Brown
129 S. Keystone Ave.
Upper Darby, PA 19082
Make checks payable to – American Cancer Society
