Cancer survivor running 10K alongside doctor, wife
Thousands of people are getting ready to lace up for the Boston Athletic Association's 10K, which takes place Sunday, and among the group is a cancer survivor who is grateful to be where he is today.
“When someone tells you that you have cancer, the worst thoughts go through your mind. It’s very, very scary,” Paul Crowley said.
That was 10 years ago. Crowley is now cancer-free, and he said he wouldn’t be without Dr. Adam Kibel, chief of urology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
“Anything to help get the word out about the race and about men’s health and about what we’re trying to do to improve the care of patients is a win,” Kibel said.
The hospital’s urology race team is called the Stream Team.
“That was Dr. Kibel’s brainchild,” Crowley said.
Crowley came out on the right side of his battle with prostate cancer — a fight he was worried he might not win.
“From that initial diagnosis to the how I feel today, it just makes you thankful,” he said.
Crowley is running Sunday’s race with Kibel.
“He’s a runner. I’m a runner. The two of us started discussing it, and it sort of clicked and fit very well,” Kibel said.
Crowley’s grateful wife, Ruthanne, is by his side every step of the way.
“The people that volunteer, they get there at 4 a.m., 5 a.m. to help set up,” she said.
“She thanks everybody on the course,” Crowley said. “It drives me out of my mind. Every single volunteer she goes, ‘Thank you!’ I’m like, ‘They all don’t need to be thanked. Let’s keep running.’”
The Crowleys and Kibel will join thousands of other runners for the race.
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