In the Summer of 2000, my mother's breast cancer diagnosis marked the start of my journey with cancer. It introduced me to this relentless disease and pushed me to learn the language of oncology and how to decipher what every word, every procedure, and every facial expression an oncologist expressed meant. Sadly, my sister and then my father faced their own battles with cancer and they went from caretakers to patients themselves.

While my mother and sister received remarkable care and benefited from cutting-edge research, my father lost his life in 2018 due to limited treatment options for MDS/AML. This complex relationship with cancer, however, taught me so many valuable lessons, but most importantly, it ignited my life's purpose: developing medicines to transform patients' lives.

Joining the 2024 Timmerman Traverse team and supporting the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation was a natural step toward this mission. I am determined to raise $50,000 for this noble cause and invite your support in my campaign. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant impact, bringing us closer to our shared goal of making a positive difference.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Wishing you good health,

Abbas