Remembering Frank O'Day
A "Nightline" producer remembers the remarkable young man she did a story on.
April 11, 2008 — -- It is with a heavy heart that I write this note. Frank O'Day passed away this morning at the age of 29 after a valiant battle with cancer that endured one year and nine months. That time was marked by his incredible will not only to survive, but to flourish in the dreams he had for his future. In the fall of 2006, without hesitation, Frank agreed to allow me to film him in his fight. There were highs and lows that unfolded through the lens of a camera, and in awe I watched as he met every disappointment with a smile and ironclad determination. What was supposed to be a story for "Nightline" became a lesson in living. Those who were fortunate enough to have known Frank will never forget the spirit in which he lived. He faced his cancer with selfless humor every step of the way. I will spend the rest of my days being inspired by Frank O'Day. I know how hard it must have been early this morning for his powerful will to let go his spirit, but with his devoted family at his side, he passed peacefully. It is with tremendous gratitude to Frank and to his family that I write these inadequate words. Never can his bravery, courage and enthusiasm for life be reduced to words. He was the meaning of courage. His family is the meaning of courage. I am forever grateful to them for opening up their lives to me and to ABC News. After all, the public got to share in this gift that they gave us, a small record of Frank's extraordinary character and essence. If we can all live the way he lived, we will all be better people. In lieu of flowers please send donations to: Dana Farber c/o Dr. David C. Fisher 44 Binney StreetBoston MA 02115 Please make checks payable To: Dana Farber c/o Dr. David C. Fisher and For: Memory of Frank O'Day. Donations will go directly to Hodgkin's Disease Research Here is the original story we wrote about O'Day and other young people suffering from Cancer in September 2007.
By ROXANNA SHERWOOD
Sept. 19, 2007 —
He has not expressed an ounce of self-pity or a hint of anger, though for Frank O'Day it is easy to be angry. He is 29 years old and he has cancer. But according to O'Day, when it comes to cancer, anger is just a wasted emotion.
O'Day has been battling stage four Hodgkin's lymphoma with optimism, humor and dignity. He fights the way anyone would want to fight after a doctor delivers such tragic news. And even at 29, O'Day knows that hope is his only weapon.
Katherine Miller was also filled with hope when she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the age of 25, just as she was beginning medical school at Des Moines University.
She too believed in her ability to conquer the disease. Miller, however, did not win that fight. With barely a hint of illness before her diagnosis, six months later she died at the age of 26.
Her family's experience during those six months of supporting her in her fight against cancer is the motivation for this story.
Disturbing statistics, originally gathered by Dr. W. Archie Bleyer at the University of Texas Medical Center, show that since 1975, cancer survival rates have not improved for the 15-40 age group.
"It's the No. 1 disease-related killer in young adults," said Karen Albritton, an oncologist at the Dana-Farber Institute. "More people die of accidents and trauma, but after that, in terms of disease, it's the No. 1 cause of death."
The staggering statistics shocked Albritton, who is trying to change this bleak picture.
She's behind Dana-Farber's newly created Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer program because she knows how important specialized, nuanced care is to these young people. She says, and as research suggests, it is a matter of survival.
Albritton believes that many issues lie at the heart of this mystery, including delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, lack of emotional and psychosocial support, insurance problems, minimal involvement in clinical trials and a lack of focused support.
O'Day neglected to go to the doctor when the first symptoms began to emerge. He lived with symptoms like drenching night sweats, pain and vomiting before getting to a doctor.
