Dennis D

My dad is without a doubt my hero. He has always worked extremely hard to give my sister and me the things that he didn't have as a child. My dad is the most selfless person I know - always doing for others and never asking for anything in return. He and my mom put my sister and me through 16 years of private school, solely on a government worker's salary since my mom stayed home.

My dad was the first in his family to graduate from college and I was the second.

In 1998, my dad was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, or CLL. I was devastated. He went through so much to fight the cancer - chemo, radiation and finally a bone marrow transplant. He was a fighter and never complained once about the pain he was in. He was always worried about what would happen to 'his girls' if he didn't make it. He was strong every single day and I told him he just couldn't give up yet; I wasn't ready to let him go. He had so many things in life to do; especially meet his future grandchildren.

I am so deeply happy to say that in 2007 he got to meet his first grandchild, a little girl. I had told him that life would be worth sticking around for! He thankfully is in remission and while he has had other complications from the cancer, he is now doing well.

He has inspired me to be an advocate for people battling cancer. His experience also helped me to realize the importance of raising awareness for the National Marrow Donor Program. Not only that, he has inspired me to be a better person and to appreciate every single day, because life truly is a gift.

Submitted by Anonymous

Ambition