Thousands Gear Up To Join In 2nd Annual Walk To End Bladder Cancer
By Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's a cancer that doesn't get much attention – but on Saturday, thousands are expected in Philadelphia for the 2nd Annual Walk to End Bladder Cancer. Don Sechler is a bladder cancer patient who became an advocate for the cause.
The surgeon with his grateful patient can enjoy a peaceful walk now – after an ordeal with bladder cancer.
"This could result in you dying, it was disconcerting to say the least," said Sechler.
Sechler, a busy grandfather of eight, was told his bladder had to be removed. His first doctor described what life would be like.
"Instead of going to the bathroom you pee in a bag." Dr. Alexander Kutikov at Fox Chase offered a better option for Don, creating a new bladder using parts of the intestine.
"I have a neo-bladder and I'm doing great and life is good, and I'm still working," said Sechler.
Now he is on a mission to warn others not to ignore the main symptom of bladder cancer, which is blood in the urine, something he experienced himself.
"Men are a mess and we tend to ignore things. I've learned not to ignore signals my body is giving me, what a lesson that was," he said.
"A lot of us who treat patients with bladder cancer have been waiting for a breakthrough," the Fox Chase Doctor explains. Doctor Kutikov says it's frustrating that bladder cancer doesn't get the attention it deserves.
"Unfortunately, although bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer, it receives a dis-proportionally small amount of funding."
Better treatments could spare patients like Sechler the ordeal of reconstructive surgery, but he feels lucky. "We had 200 minis on the race track," Sechler said.
To be back with his car hobby and being able to watch his grandchildren grow up.
Sechler and a team from Fox Chase will be participating in the Walk to End Bladder cancer this Saturday, to raise awareness and money for research.
For more information about Fox Chase, click the link below.
