The Ride Of His Life: When A Young Cancer Drug Company Executive Gets Cancer

As a journalist and three-time cancer survivor, I’ve met many kind, dedicated people in the cancer pharmaceutical industry. The folks I’ve encountered in this arena have demonstrated real empathy and compassion. They do their best to understand what it’s like to have cancer.

But as a patient advocate, I respectfully tell virtually everyone I meet that there is no way to fully understand what it’s like to have cancer until it happens to you. When you hear those chilling words, “You have cancer,” it invariably and immediately changes your perspective on work, health and life. 

In March of last year, Drew Adams, a young executive at Bristol Myers Squibb, the global pharmaceutical company, found an unusual lump in his testicle and was referred for an ultrasound by his primary care physician.

Drew, who was just 31 at the time, was confident that it was nothing serious. But unfortunately it turned out to be testicular cancer. And Drew didn’t have much time to contemplate his situation. He received the cancer diagnosis on a Wednesday. By the following Monday he was in surgery having the testicle removed.

Needless to say, it was an emotional time for Drew, a very bright, intuitive and sensitive young man. After he was diagnosed he just stopped everything to contemplate his situation. “To take inventory,” he says.

The most difficult part of having cancer for Drew was the fact that it happened during the Covid-19 pandemic and he was not allowed to bring his wife, Rosie Adams, to the hospital with him. 

As a young husband, Drew also faced the inevitable discussion of having children. Would that no longer be possible? 

“My wife and I were approaching having kids, and we needed to have that conversation,” Drew told me. “Will we still be able to have children? If the cancer comes back, will she still want to have kids with me? Do I want my wife to raise a child if I'm not around?"

So many questions come to mind when you're told you have cancer. For Drew, it was tough to describe all the complicated things he was feeling. "I would wake up in the middle of the night, crying," he said.

That is an utterly normal response to receiving a cancer diagnosis at any age, but especially for someone whose life was just beginning. Drew leaned on Rosie to help him sort through it all. 

“I would not have been able to do it without her,” said Drew, whose job at BMS was ironically to find the best doctors in the world. 

"I had all the data analytic tools. But it was still terrifying,” he said. “Things like songs just set me off during that time. But I think what stood out to me the most was the fact that my wife could not come to the hospital with me. But she was an emotional rock for me.”

Thanks to advancements in cancer research and surgical techniques, doctors were able to identify and remove the cancerous areas in a single procedure. Drew is now in remission and continues monitoring through periodic blood tests, x-rays and CT scans. 

And yes, he is still able to start that family. 

While cancer may be done with Drew, Drew isn’t done with cancer. He is more determined than ever to help other cancer patients get through it. His cancer experience has given him an even deeper understanding and appreciation of what it’s really like to be a young adult cancer patient. 

And it's inspired him to become a vocal advocate for self-examinations and early cancer detection. He wants people to know how important it is to get checked so that if there is cancer in your body, you can detect it early and get on with your life.

As Drew and I talked the other day, a bond developed between us. I was just three years older than Drew when I was diagnosed with cancer. I know how he must have felt to get that diagnosis.

There is a strong bond among young adult cancer patients. Perhaps because they are old enough to understand the seriousness of the diagnosis, but also because it is the last thing you could imagine happening to you at this age.

The brotherhood/sisterhood among teens and young adults with cancer is something I have not witnessed anywhere else but among those who’ve served in combat.

Drew is deeply grateful that his cancer fight is over. Hopefully forever. More than ever, he appreciates his family, his doctors, his friends and his co-workers. He wants to keep giving back to others who are still in the fight. He especially wants to honor his uncles, one who died from brain cancer and another who died of liver cancer. One of his uncles passed away with his second child still in the womb.

 
Drew is focused on supporting new cancer research. Next week, he will be riding alongside more than 126 of his BMS colleagues on the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer (C2C4C) bike ride, a poignant and powerful annual three-week cross-country cycling event to raise funds for the V Foundation.

The V Foundation is of course the acclaimed non-profit organization that honors the life and the courage of Jim Valvano, the legendary North Carolina State basketball coach who after being diagnosed with cancer gave so much back to the community and inspired the world with his fierce optimism.

Valvano happens to be one of my personal heroes. And the V Foundation is a leader in supporting groundbreaking new science. Inspired by his own work mates, and by Valvano’s life story, Drew will be kicking off the event by riding in the first leg, Cannon Beach to Bend, Oregon, where he’ll be covering up to 80 miles per day for three days.

As someone who lives with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, which affects his shoulders and ability to do activities, Drew has worked hard these the last five months of training to get in shape for this ride.

BMS employees have volunteered their personal time to fundraise and extensively train for five months aspiring to raise $1 million and hopefully more in support of the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

“The ride kicks off September 7, my section ends on September 9. It’s 225 miles in three days,” Drew explained. “I get a beautiful segment in Oregon. Our goal for the ride is raise $1 million for the V Foundation."

Some of the riders in the C2C4Chave been diagnosed with cancer, Drew said, while others are riding in honor of loved ones affected by the disease. 

Nine teams are participating in this year’s ride, which begins Sept. 7 in Cannon Beach, Oregon and concludes on October 3 in Long Branch, New Jersey. Money raised will be matched dollar-for-dollar by BMS up to the $500,000 maximum donation.

Since 2014, the ride has raised more than $9.83 million for cancer research, with more than 760 Bristol Myers Squibb employees taking part in this epic and emotional event.

Shane Jacobson, Chief Executive Officer of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, told me that that the V Foundation partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb has positively developed over the past decade.

“In addition to the significant charitable contributions, riders offer such a wellspring of enthusiasm and drive, which is an energizing experience to be a part of," Jacobson said. "I’m looking forward to the chance to visit riders once again along the route to hear their stories and to draw new inspiration for the work we do. “

Jacobson noted that one in two men and one in three women will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.

“As Drew says, the experience can be hard to fathom if you haven’t experienced it,” Jacobson said. “Along with the cancer patient, there are also caretakers and loved ones who are thrust into the journey. We believe our mission resonates so universally because we’re aiming to achieve victory over cancer for everyone involved. Our goal is to fund game-changing research to deliver new cures and save lives. We won’t stop working until we achieve this goal.”

Jacobson said the V Foundation is committed to awarding grants to the most innovative and promising cancer research projects.

 
“Our Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of leading cancer experts nationwide, identify novel and cutting-edge ideas that hold great promise for gaining new knowledge about the basic science of cancer, improving treatment options, and preventing recurrences,” he said.

“By directly funding all-star scientists, we are able to invest in multiple discoveries that provide for a better understanding of the disease as a whole and more targeted treatment options.”

Meanwhile, Drew's "new life" has just begun. Now 33, he is still a proud employee at BMS, and he and his wife are excited about having children and living every day with gratitude and love.

As he looks forward to the big bike ride, he knows that the funds raised for the V Foundation will make a difference in the lives of others. He's riding for a future in which more people can celebrate their health and enjoy more time with the people they love.

# # #

This is another in our series of stories about teens and young adults with cancer, supported by Seagen and Teen Cancer America. 

   

Is This The Year That San Diego State Basketball Makes History?

The most heartbreaking sports-fan moment of my life came on March 12, 2020 when the powers that be at the National Collegiate Basketball Association shut down the 2020 NCAA Basketball Tournament just as it was to commence.

“This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities,” the NCAA said in a statement.

Yes, it was a necessary move. The virus was raging. But it was a bitter pill for me and my fellow fans of San Diego State University, whose Aztecs had their finest team in school history that year and would have gotten a #2 seed. They had a legitimate chance of winning the national championship. The squad was led by complimentary superb guards Malachi Flynn and KJ Feagin. 

Many believe that Flynn was the best SDSU player of them all. You'll never hear me argue against that assertion. Even the great Kawhi Leonard might agree. Kawhi, a proud SDSU alum', has of course become a superstar in the NBA. But Flynn was even more impressive in college. 

SDSU won the first 26 games of the season in 2020 and was the last undefeated team in Division I. The Aztecs finished with a 30-2 record. 

Why bring this up now? Because I believe the 2022-23 San Diego State basketball squad could be nearly as good (not quite) as that legendary 2020 team. The Aztecs are loaded for bear, with superb veteran players in Matt Bradley, Nathan Mensah and more. 

There are also some impressive transfers, including Seattle U point guard Darrion Trammell and Oakland transfer Micah Parrish. This year, the SDSU offense just might have caught up with the team's vaunted D. 

It won't be easy. The Mountain West Conference is arguably the most underrated conference in the nation, and road wins are very hard to come by with all the rough-to-travel spots. 

The experts are finally beginning to recognize the depth and quality of this league. Almost everyone expects big things from the Aztecs, but Wyoming, Boise State and Colorado State are on every smart basketball writer's radar this season, along with some conference sleepers.

Below is what the the alleged experts are saying about San Diego State hoops as we move closer to the beginning of what promises to be an exciting season. And I must also mention SDSU football, which debuts a brand new stadium in Mission Valley in a couple of weeks. No more "home games" in L.A. The football Aztecs are back home. It's good to be an Aztec! 

But back to hoops... 

Bottom line? I believe that if the transfers and the younglings gel and are as good as advertised, and everyone stays healthy, this SDSU basketball team can be a Top 15 squad. Or better. If all goes as planned and expected, I predict that SDSU will tie for the regular season title and then win the Conference Tournament in Las Vegas. 

On paper, SDSU is good enough to go deep into March Madness. And lest we forget, Coach Brian Dutcher has been masterful since taking over for the legendary Steve Fisher, who is now happily retired and attends every game. Dutch has proved, year after year, that he is every bit as skilled as a hoops leader as Fisher. Dutch learned from the best. 

We'll all learn a lot about this team right out of the gate. They will play in the Maui Invitational against a rebooted Ohio State squad on Nov. 21. If the Aztecs win, they would face the winner of the Arizona-Cincinnati first-round game Nov. 22 in a championship semifinal.

Among the other top hoop programs that will be on Maui that week are Creighton, Arkansas and Texas Tech. It's an early and very tall order. This is the best early-season tournament of them all. 

Below are several other preseason hoop fortune tellers' predictions. These alleged gurus are hit and miss. But then who isn't? This isn't science. Some of them get it, but others are completely in over their head. 

The number below in bold is where SDSU is ranked in each respective poll. Check it out, and leave your thoughts at the bottom:

#14 - Sports Illustrated: 

"The Aztecs sported the nation’s second-best defense, per KenPom, in 2021–22, and the return of defensive anchor Nathan Mensah means SDSU will be nearly impossible to score on yet again. What held Brian Dutcher’s team back this past season was an anemic offense, as evidenced by the fact that the Aztecs lost five games where they allowed fewer than 60 points (all five against top-50 KenPom teams). Enter Seattle U transfer point guard Darrion Trammell, a diminutive dynamo who’s proficient operating in ball screens and gets to the free throw line with regularity while fitting into SDSU’s defense-first mindset. Trammell and Oakland transfer Michael Parrish provide a much-needed jolt offensively to a team that didn’t have enough consistent shot-makers to take the next step last season. If San Diego State becomes a top-75 offense this season, it could be special."

# 21 -ESPN: 

"San Diego State has ranked outside the top 30 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency just twice in the past 12 seasons, and with the return of Nathan Mensah and the addition of Micah Parrish, the Aztecs are likely to be closer to last year's No. 2 national ranking. But what about the offense? Brian Dutcher's team was in the bottom half of the Mountain West in adjusted offensive efficiency in conference play, with a low volume of 3-point attempts and a league-worst 47.2% field goal percentage inside the arc. Matt Bradley is back to shoulder the load, but the Aztecs have now improved his supporting cast. Darrion Trammell, a two-time first-team All-WAC selection, averaged 20.5 points in 2020-21 and 17.3 points last season at Seattle; Parrish was a double-figure scorer at Oakland; and early buzz on Jaedon LeDee, who sat out last season, has been positive."

# 23 - The Athletic:

"The Aztecs got a huge break when Nathan Mensah, the 6-10 center who was the Mountain West’s defensive player of the year, decided to return for a super senior season. Matt Bradley, the 6-4 senior transfer from Cal who led the team in scoring at 16.9 points per game, chose that same option before the season ended. Brian Dutcher has also since added a pair of transfers in 5-10 junior guard Darrion Trammell (Seattle) and 6-6 sophomore forward Micah Parrish (Oakland)."

# 28 - CBS Sports:

Unbelievably, CBS Sports has the Aztecs out of the top 25 at #28. But they have Boise State at 23 and Colorado at 24!

Meanwhile, USA Today has Boise State and Colorado State in the top 25 and not San Diego State. Dumb and dumber. And the Washington Post has SDSU at #33 — and no other MWC team in the top 45. That is just another case of East Coast lunacy.

A Very Good Week For So-Called Sleepy Old Joe

It's been a very good week for Sleepy old Joe, who isn't so sleepy after all. 

First and foremost: today's jobs report, which is off the charts. 

Unemployment is at a 50-year low, at 3.5%, and 528,000 jobs were added this month.For all you arm-chair economists out there, you simply can not have that level of job growth and call this a recession. 

"The economy is not falling into recession," Brian Bethune, an economist at Boston College, told USA Today. "It is actually picking up speed as demand for services accelerates in a post COVID-19 environment."

It was also announced this week that gas prices are down for the seventh straight week and are on track to sink by about 20 percent from June’s $5.02-per-gallon peak to a national average of $4; some states are already below that marker. 

 

Refreshingly, the first gas station in the country to dip below $3 a gallon is in deep-red Oklahoma City. As of Friday morning, Gas Buddy shows that three stations along Mustang Road – two near Southwest 15th Street and another near Reno Avenue – have regular gas for $2.97. 

 

President Biden also ordered a military strike this week that killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the torturing, monstrous leader of Al-Qaeda and successor of Osama bin Laden. This is of course huge news. Sleepy Old Joe got it done.

Also this week, after literally years of fighting over support for veterans who were sick because of the toxins they endured while on active duty, the PACT Act to expand healthcare coverage for veterans was finally passed.

 

But it came after Republicans cynically tried to dump the legislation. As a result, they were publicly blasted by just about everyone who cares about our veterans, and the GOP Senators, with collective tail between collective legs, changed their mind. 

 

Well, all but 11 Senators, that is. Here are the 11 GOP Senators who refused to help our veterans. For all of my Republican friends, remember these names. If you vote for any of these guys in November, you might as well just stop saying you support our most in-need veterans, because you don't:

 

Pat Toomey (Pa), Rand Paul (Ky), Mike Crapo (Idaho), Thom Tillis (NC), James Lankford (Okla), Mike Lee (Utah), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo), James Risch (Idaho), Mitt Romney (Utah), Richard Shelby (Ala), and Tonny Tuberville (Ala).

Biden got this done. Period. Because he actually cares about our veterans, unlike the other party, which too often pays lip service and uses veterans as political chess pieces. Or, in the case of most of these Republican lawmakers, checkers!

 

Biden is also preparing to pass the Inflation Reduction Act this weekend. This sweeping bill will bring prescription drug costs down, provide free vaccines for seniors, offer generous tax credits for electric vehicles, and much more. 

 

Its primary aim is to create more than 1 million jobs and substantially reduce inflation. The bill will enact historic deficit reduction that will fight inflation, as well as:

 

 • Lower energy costs, increases cleaner production, and reduces carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent by 2030 ;

 

• Allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and caps out-of-pocket costs to $2,000;

 

• Lower ACA health care premiums for millions of American families;

 

• And make the biggest corporations and ultra-wealthy pay their fair share.

 

It should also be noted that in this bill there are zero new tax burdens on families making $400,000 or less and no new taxes on small businesses.

Also this week, a bipartisan majority of voters from Kansas - yes, KANSAS - voted to defend abortion rights, which Biden vocally supported. 

 

Politico's Playbook called what happened in Kansas “A POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE” and said the victory was “stunning”.

And finally, The House of Representatives passed a ban on semi-automatic firearms — the weapons used in multiple mass shootings during the last three months — on a near party-line vote.

 

Only two Republicans voted for it, and only five Democrats voted against it. 

 

Again, the Republicans are on the wrong side of this issue. Regarding this bill, Rep. Jim Jordan, a Ohio Republican, accused Democrats of “coming for your guns.”

 

But Jordan is lying, again.  

 

Rep. Deborah Ross, a North Carolina Democrat, said that the bill simply "prevents future sales of assault rifles,” and added that the weapons are “not designed for recreation, they’re designed for combat.” 

 

In a statement from the White House, a spokesman said, "40,000 Americans die from gunshot wounds every year and guns have become the top killer of children in the United States. As President Biden has repeatedly called for, we must do more to stop this gun violence and save lives."

You go, sleepy old Joe. Biden is a good man. Period. And is there anything more important than that? Despite relentless attacks, he continues to do the right thing, on multiple fronts. We're ALL getting older and a little sleepier, but that doesn't mean we can't still be very, very effective. You go, Joe!