One year ago today my dad lost the long battle with lymphoma. This weekend my cycle team will ride in honor/memory of him. My local family will wear their "Team Papa" t-shirts and support the riders with food and drink on the route. Below is the blurb my mom put together as an introduction for the team.
Bill Crawford was a husband, dad, and grandfather. He loved his family beyond measure and that love was returned in full. He also loved his friends and made legions on his journey through life.
In 1994 Bill began to feel weak and tired and found a lump in his groin. After a few tests it was confirmed that he had lymphoma. Although a die-hard Cal fan, he spent several months at Stanford Hospital where he underwent an autologous stem cell transplant and chemo treatments to battle Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Thanks to advances in research and medical treatments his life was extended almost 15 wonderful years.
Those years included the weddings of his children, adventures with seven grandchildren and countless gatherings to celebrate and enjoy all of life’s great gifts with extended family and lifelong friends. He made the most of every moment.
In 2002 Bill again experienced fatigue, he was weak and extremely anemic, sure signs of MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome) a pre-leukemia. Bill received the occasional blood transfusion, took maintenance medications and continued living every moment, never showing any signs that cancer returned. While most patients with MDS live a few months Bill fought for another 6 years of life.
On March 19, 2008 Bill passed away from complications of pneumonia.
Bill was a great fan and supporter of his children’s involvement in Team in Training. They have completed Triathlons, Marathons, and Century Rides to raise money in the fight against leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood disorders. Bill’s indomitable spirit is with us in all we do, and today we honor him again.
If you are looking for a way to make a difference in the life of a patient or their family as they take on the fight for their life please make a donation to LLS. My brother Hugh is training for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride too. Click here to:
Support his cause!
Two riders on Team Papa, Tahoe 2009. My brother Hugh was in town last year for one of my marathon team runs. He got bit by the TNT bug... it took a year for me to convince him to participate rather than donate.
Bill Crawford was a husband, dad, and grandfather. He loved his family beyond measure and that love was returned in full. He also loved his friends and made legions on his journey through life.