In early 2003, Brad was living the sweet life, residing in San Diego, working for a Biotech company, and had asked his girlfriend of five years, Tamara, to marry him.
About a month following his proposal, he noticed he had a headache that was not going away, and after a couple of weeks, he decided to call the doctor. His doctor’s office did not feel that his symptoms warranted a visit, and after months of back and forth and seeing other staff in the office, he decided to see an ENT. His symptoms were progressing, and he knew something was not right.
The ENT immediately informed him that he was a very sick young man. Just over a week later, Brad found himself in a hospital bed unable to walk, heavily medicated, and awaiting a biopsy.
Brad’s diagnosis was nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. His doctors shared that they were not aware of any effective treatments available for his cancer. In addition to the rare diagnosis, the cancer had spread from his nasopharynx through both sinuses and into the lymph nodes in his neck. There was also a tumor pressing against the nerves at the base of his brain. The pressure was so great that he was losing consciousness when upright for extended periods of time.
After surgery, to treat the numerous infections caused by the tumors, Brad received word that through a number of his sister’s connections, there was a clinical trial being conducted for patients with his diagnosis.
Brad flew across the country to Boston where he underwent treatment as a clinical trial participant at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. He received chemotherapy followed by chemo-radiation and then by boost radiation. In January of 2004, Brad was declared cancer free, and he has remained so for the past 19 years.
Following treatment, Brad found that the severity of what he had just been through needed to be addressed. His experience of being diagnosed in late stages and rushed into intense treatment had not allowed for much time to acknowledge what he was facing. As part of the healing process, Brad joined a cancer support group, and following the advice of a fellow cancer survivor, he sought a space where he could regain control of his physical self and start to rebuild confidence in his health and body.
He found that space in the world of endurance sport. He signed up for an Olympic-distance triathlon—the first he had attempted—to raise funds for cancer research and to celebrate being one year past cancer treatments. Upon crossing the finish line, Brad thought, I will do better next time. Put simply: He was hooked.
The most significant part of his post-treatment life is his family. In August of 2004, Brad fulfilled his promise to the love of his life, and married his wife, Tamara.
Brad dove headfirst into endurance sport and quickly developed an interest in becoming a coach. In 2005, he began coaching for charity organizations that were using endurance sports as a platform to raise funds for cancer research and patient support. Brad left the Biotech industry in 2007 and moved to Quebec to start a company with Tamara. Twelve years later, they turned the company over to their employees and moved to South Carolina to start an endurance coaching company.
Over the past 18 years, Brad has founded several community-based multisport clubs, coached more than 1,000 athletes, and completed more than 100 endurance events, including multiple Boston Marathons, numerous full Ironman events, and the Ironman 70.3 World Championships. More importantly, his endurance lifestyle has continued to be centered around raising funds for cancer research and patient support. He has also made himself available through various networks as a survivor resource for current patients and survivors as well as their friends and family.
Brad and Tamara have two wonderful children and currently live in the Charleston, SC area with their two dogs and a cat. He continues to look for ways to support the cancer research community, and if his experience as a patient and survivor can serve others, he is always available for a conversation or to simply listen.
To request Brad for your local event, please contact us at info@headandneck.org or complete the online form.
