Article from Unity on the Bay - Miami
Either Oar Cancer Survivor Row
Melbourne to Jacksonville
June 5, 2006
Row, Bob, Row!
About Bob Lynch
Bob Lynch spent his childhood between Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The common thread between the two was Bob's ability to spend time on the water doing what he loved most, rowing!
In 1971, Bob and his new bride, Sue, moved permanently to Florida where he began his 23 year career with the Florida Department of Labor. During his career he held positions including Quality Control Analyst, Appeals Referee, Administrator of Internal Security and Appeals Referee Supervisor. His performance was recognized through numerous awards including the Gold Oak Award presented to the employee of the year. By the time Bob retired it was estimated he had presided over 20,000 hearings in the state of Florida.
In 1995, during an annual physical, Bob was diagnosed with a rare form of incurable blood cancer. His life changed, with the onset of 18 months of chemotherapy, an early retirement, and a new quest of finding a cure for this terrible disease.
This is Bob's fourth cancer survivor row. In 1998 Bob successfully rowed from Key West to Miami, a trip of 150 miles. Then in 2000, Bob rowed 200 miles from Melbourne to Miami. In 2001 Bob and some of his closest and craziest friends rowed from Stuart across the state to Ft. Myers, a trip of 155 miles. This year Bob will be rowing from Melbourne to Jacksonville to celebrate the gift of his last 11 years of life. This row also completes Bob rowing the entire east coast of Florida, from Jacksonville to Key West. When will he ever stop, (Maine?)
Bob says, "I do these rows to raise people's consciousness and funds for Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia cancer research." All proceeds from the "ROW" will go to the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to distribute research funds to deserving facilities.
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Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia
WM is a cancer of the blood and immune system, most closely related to multiple myeloma. Currently the medical community considers it a treatable but incurable disorder. There is very little known about its cause or the most effective treatment. It strikes only 6.1 men per million and only 2.5 women per million. With these stats is there any wonder that WM is on the National Organization for Rare Disorders list?
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People Are Talking About Bob
"Bob is always making lemonade out of lemons. He brightens everyone's day and his smile is contagious. But most of all, he counts his blessings each and every day because he knows life is truly a gift."
Susan Lynch
"Bob has taken a seeming life setback and turned it into something magnificent. He is an inspiration to everyone he contacts. His life is a living demonstration of the possibility of the human spirit."
Rev. James Trapp
"Bob has taken the WM challenge and used it to make his world a better place"
Nanci & Bjorn Svensen
"What can you say about a guy who calls chemo a great "high"? Bob's positive attitude and non-stop enthusiasm sets a standard for us all."
Betty & Dana Hurlbut
"Bob is more than an inspiration to those who know him. He is truly a motivating force that brings PROSPERITY to all those he meets".
Cindy Skarappua
"Bob is one of the most remarkable men I have ever met. To have an incurable disease and still remain the most positive and happy person I know, shows that he is spiritually at peace with the situation. I am very proud to call Bob one of my dearest friends."
Kenneth Engstrom
"Bob, who I have known in the role as both his Minister and good friend, has been - and continues to be - an "unforgettable character" continuously on the leading edge of personal achievements and extraordinary feats. I admire him above all for his remarkable courage in meeting and overcoming this cancer and using this experience to help others."
William Earle Cameron
"Do all you can with what you have
In the time you have
In the place you are
Do all you can."
Laurie Sandstrom and Robert Anderson
(Do All You Can)
