About Richard:
- Lived in Stamford, Connecticut with his partner
- Believed in a fitness routine: lifting weights, walking on the treadmill, and biking
- Loved to travel and had previously been to Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, and all over the United States
- Started the Richard’s Rays initiative to inspire and encourage people living with lung cancer
Richard’s Journey With Cancer
- Diagnosed with stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 2004
- Pneumonectomy in 2004
- Multiple surgeries and radiation therapy for tumors on brain and lung (2006–2014)
- Stage 4 NSCLC
- Multiple targeted therapies (2007–2014)
From Richard’s Perspective
“I didn't know what to make of it. I wasn't angry, I wasn't scared.
It's really important for someone to have an advocate when they go through these situations because mentally, I couldn't really do anything. It went in one ear, out the other. It came out of the blue.
I see my life as a combination of biology, chemistry, timing, and good luck!
I always believe I've lived life to the fullest. It's probably been accentuated a little, notched up, dealing with a terminal illness. The biggest positive changes are these relationships. They're unbelievable.
I believe all the good and bad have to happen. I can't take anything back, there are no regrets. I'm very, very fortunate.
Be hopeful, take every day at a time. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Find the doctors and hospitals you trust. Get educated about it to give yourself the best chance.”
