Janine Marnien
Tom Dowling thought dealing with son Eric's battle with leukemia
was his life's mission.
"Once you got through it, we thought that was it," said Dowling, a
17-year resident of La Canada Flintridge. "But we've been dealt
another hand and we have to play it."
The senior Dowling was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in
July. Although he had participated in fund-raisers and events for
cancer awareness and research prior to his and Eric's diagnosis, his
experience made the Daffodil Days campaign much more personal.
The American Cancer Society holds Daffodil Days. Supporters can
purchase bouquets of daffodils for cancer patients and survivors
through the end of March to raise money for cancer research. A
captain with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, Dowling and some
of his colleagues delivered the flowers Wednesday at California
Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles.
"Emotionally, it's probably harder, but as far as enthusiasm it's
probably easier," he said of the experience. "I know what they go
through, and I know things like this actually make a difference."
The flowers did make a difference for breast-cancer survivor
Maxine Dickerson. She received a bouquet and a visit from Dowling
during a regular check-up.
"Because I had it, and he has it, it was easy for me to
communicate with him," she said.
Since his diagnosis and following six bouts with chemotherapy, 80%
of Dowling's cancer is gone. He is undergoing tests to determine how
the rest of the disease will be treated. He returned to work in
November, handling office duties.
During his ordeal with the disease, Dowling has relied on Eric for
support. Eric is 1/2 years into remission.
"He is able to act as a counselor, because I can ask him how he
dealt with certain medicines that I've had to take," Dowling said.
Daffodil Days is an annual campaign, and pulled in about $500,000
last year for cancer research, free transportation for cancer
patients and support groups.
For more information on the campaign, visit www.cancer.org.
