Man On A Mission

Brian Dowd is a man on a mission with his goal to educate people about cancer while at the same time helping raise money needed to continue research into a disease that kills our neighbors just about every day. Dowd is one of the lucky ones, a cancer survivor, and after meeting him you come away convinced that the Beachwood resident is truly someone who plans on making a difference.

It was just over 14 months ago that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer
which in itself is an interesting story. His daughter accidentally kicked him in the groin and later that day he noticed a lump which led him to pay a visit to the doctor. A first and second opinion confirmed that the young father indeed had testicular cancer and after surgery and radiation treatments he’s made a complete recovery. He’s also become a father again with his wife Kristy giving birth to another daughter six months ago.

The experience Brian has gone through in the last year or so brought him to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, an organization that inspires and empowers people affected by cancer and is led by the cycling champion and testicular cancer survivor. Dowd attended the inaugural LIVESTRONG Summit last fall in Austin, Texas as a delegate from New Jersey and he came away from that trip with a goal to help inform and educate people in his community about cancer, especially young people.

Brian is captain of Team Down One and will be participating in the LIVESTRONG Challenge in Philadelphia later this month. This fundraiser brings together hundreds of people from the northeast and features run/walk and bicycle events and Brian’s group has set a goal of raising $30,000. To that end they will hold a Dinner and Silent Auction this Saturday from 6-10PM at the Bayville Elks Lodge on Route 9. There will be some great items available, door prizes a DJ, food, fun and also valuable information as well as the Hometown Crew from 92.7 WOBM. Tickets are $30.00 and are available by calling (732) 773-8272 or you can purchase them at the door Saturday. You can also get information by visiting www.teamdownone.com. If you can’t make it Saturday I urge you to consider contacting Brian and making a donation. He will also be happy to share advice and information….like I said he’s a man on a mission with a goal to succeed.