Yesterday, on the first day of the spring semester, the College of Education lost a wonderful man to stage four brain cancer. Dr. Rogers was diagnosed in August of last year - stage four from the onset.
Jim was a wonderful man. Funny, smart as hell, and kind. He was a professor who delved into the world of suicidology and was an expert. He was one who helped other professional counselors to be their best. He was simply fascinating.
His death has made me so sad, along with so many of my co-workers. How could an academic lose to his brain?
It got me thinking about "prevention." What could Jim have done to prevent brain cancer? He was physically fit, active, non-smoker, what could he have done? Obviosuly I know that breast cancer and brain cancer are different, but one thing is the same. For all of the marketing on prevention, roughly 6% to 10% of people are Stage IV from their initial diagnosis.
My heart breaks for those in that percentage group. They had no chance. My mom did have a chance, being diagnosed at stage 2A initially, but now at stage four we are in the fight of our life. Jim was gone in six short months leaving behind a wife and two sons. It's just not fair, is it?
I pray for comfort for his sons and the co-workers that loved him so much. They are so devastated. Jim, you were one amazing professor, and I thank you for always taking time out of your day to pop in my office and just chat. You were truly someone to look up to and to aspire to be like.
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