Jim O'Brien, event chairman of this year's Race Against Cancer, is a cancer survivor himself. He is a model of hope for cancer patients and takes every opportunity to talk about cancer prevention.

Also See: HEALTHWISE: Keeping The Hope Alive (10/26) October 1998 School of Good Health (10/05) "Missy Kane's Fit & Fun" w/ current schedule of guests Missy Kane's Fitness Library

Back in 1976 Jim was an Air Force pilot when he found out he had malignant melanoma. He underwent radical neck and shoulder surgery where doctors took out 23 lymph nodes. Jim says, "This cancer was a wake up call to me; about cancer, and how I needed to pay more attention to my health. I decided that with the grace of God I was going to beat this by doing everything the doctors told me and by changing my diet and exercise.

Now 22 years later Jim is a picture of health and feels that "God kept me around for a reason, and one reason is to spread the word about sunscreen, low-fat, high-fiber diets, and exercise.

"Another common cancer that hits men is prostate and colon cancer, and doctors know that eating more fiber and less fat and exercising regularly is a huge factor in preventing these diseases. And women can boost their fight against breast cancer by eating right and exercising. I feel that one way I can help the race against cancer is to encourage folks to participate in BUDDY'S Race Against Cancer. All the money stays right here to help with education, outreach programs, and research conducted by the Thompson Cancer Survival Center."

Jim has a very positive outlook on life and practices what he preaches. He is on a low-fat, high fiber diet and walks three miles in his neighborhood early every morning.