Hala and her father
Four years ago, I got the devastating news that my father, Nabil Husami, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. My father was a physician who had helped so many people, and suddenly he became the patient. He lived one year from the time of his diagnosis, and it was a difficult year for him and our family as we watched our beloved father deal with the hardships of treatment and the illness itself. I remember thinking that being a physician himself, with an amazing network of doctors, there had to be a way that he could beat this cruel disease … Unfortunately I was wrong. I will miss my father for the rest of my life, and not a day passes without me wishing that my 3 kids could have known this amazing man. Any time I’m riding or running and I start to feel tired or defeated, in my head I can clearly hear my dad’s voice calling me by my childhood nickname and yelling “go Lulu!” and I feel his strength push me to continue on.
One year after my father passed, a very dear friend of mine who had also lost his father to cancer approached me about training and running the NYC marathon. We joined a team that raises money for cancer treatment & research and decided we would run to honor our fathers. My friend, Malek Turk, had a treatable form of cancer himself, but still wanted to train and complete the marathon. After a few months of training, Malek had to drop out due to health complications. He still was extremely optimistic and agreed that he would run the following year with me. Unfortunately Malek’s condition only got worse, and at the young age of 37, he lost his battle last July, leaving behind a young and beautiful wife and 2 adorable sweet children. I will miss my dear friend Malek who was a lover of life and an amazing father & husband.
I ran the marathon this past fall without my friend Malek running with me and without my father cheering me on, but with hope. Running and training on a bike with Malek & my father in mind are my natural therapeutic ways that I deal with my grief and channel my efforts to make changes for the future.
There are far too many stories of pain, hardship, and devastation associated with cancer. I believe that the brilliant doctors and scientists who work tirelessly to improve diagnostic testing, treatments, and ultimately a cure deserve our support. I believe that everyone who is touched by cancer, young or old deserve more. This is why I have trained my hardest and will run and ride my hardest for any cause that vows to help the fight against this brutal disease. When I ride I will think about my father, Malek, and the millions of others who have been affected by cancer with hope and optimism.