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Letter to the editor

Cancer survivor to mark start of race toward cure

By ELISABETH DYER, Times Staff Writer
Published October 31, 2007

YBOR CITY - Bill Gowacki counts 23 friends who died from cancer, and he's only 15.

When he was 10, a debilitating pain in his leg was diagnosed as Ewing's sarcoma, cancer of the bone. He's a survivor.

"I will probably never be able to run," says Bill. He has a prosthetic hip and knee joint and femur that won't hold up to vigorous activity.

But he will announce the start to Richard's Run for Life, a 5K Friday in Ybor City to raise money for childhood cancer research. He wants everyone to know a few things about cancer.

"It's a real thing. It happens to real people, everywhere," Bill said. "Once you know about it, you'll never look at a bald kid the same way again."

This is the sixth annual Richard's Run, started by Richard Gonzmart, president of the Columbia Restaurant Group.

The post party will celebrate the life of 10-year-old Mark Desmarais, who died in February from cancer.

Bill's cancer started in his femur. While undergoing treatments in hospitals, he made friends with other kids with various childhood cancers.

According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is the No. 1 cause of death by disease in U.S. children. One in five children diagnosed dies, so finding a cure is imperative.

"That's really the point," Bill says. "To raise money for research."

All proceeds from the event will go to the Pediatric Sarcoma Cancer Research at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Research Center.

"I've been through more in my life than most people ever will," Bill said.

He has regular surgeries to extend his artificial leg as he grows.

Coping with cancer can be overwhelming. Bill prefers to focus on other things, such as slaying dragons in the computer game World of Warcraft and making good grades so he can work in the medical field. He lives in Pinellas County and is an honor student at St. Petersburg High School.

Occasionally, other students will ask about his slight limp. They sometimes don't understand the seriousness of the disease. Often, he doesn't tell people about the cancer unless they really want to know.

"I try to distance myself. I understand when people don't quite comprehend, but when they brush it off like nothing happened, it irritates me."

His surgeon tells him chances are low that the cancer will come back, Bill says.

Elisabeth Dyer can be reached at edyer@sptimes.com or 813 226-3321.

Richard's Run for Life

Registration starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday for walkers and runners.

The race starts at 6:30 p.m. at Centennial Park, Eighth Avenue and 18th Street in Ybor City.

Cost is $25 and includes entrance to the post race party, which is $20 for those who don't do the distance.

Expect music, awards and food from the Columbia, Cha Cha Coconuts and Moe's Southwest Grill.

[Last modified October 30, 2007, 21:10:03]