My focus changed dramatically this year. I was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in late January. As most of you likely know, mesothelioma is the tumor that is associated with asbestos exposure.

I underwent aggressive surgery about two weeks later at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. My thoracic surgeon, Dr. Dan Miller, removed my left lung and a lot more. Today I’m concluding the clinical chemotherapy treatment at Mayo.

I am fortunate to live in Minnesota where we have world renowned surgeons and cancer specialists. When I was diagnosed, my doctors did not despair, nor did they burden me with just statistics. They set out to treat me. I have since learned that not every patient is so fortunate.

Some patients may be advised that such a tumor is incurable. They are told that the best they can expect is to live another 8 to 18 months. They are told that surgery or chemotherapy won't really help.

Faced with such advice, most patients will be demoralized. They might give up. If they choose to fight on their own they must search for help, sorting through radical sounding treatments, and explanations of care that are painful, expensive, and of questionable consequence. Patients that are lucky enough and can afford it may land in LA or New York with a specialist. They may find that their HMO questions covering such "experimental" treatment.

Despite the lack of research, and the dearth of funding, there are a handful of extremely dedicated doctors who believe that this cancer tumor has an Achilles heel--that it can be attacked at the molecular level and we need to address it. One of the first doctors I consulted when I learned of my diagnosis was Dr. Harvey Pass, now the Chairman of the Science Advisory Board of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, or "MARF." MARF is a non-profit foundation whose mission is to eradicate mesothelioma as a terminal disease.

Amidst so much despair, MARF offers hope by assembling some of the best and brightest medical talent. These experts are united. They are in the trenches fighting this cancer tumor every day, staying abreast of world wide research. They know what therapies hold promise. They also know the research money is limited and will give priority to laboratory and clinical research that offers real hope to patients.

I have a degree in biology and taught high school science classes for ten years. I have always been deeply interested in medical science. I am impressed -- from an academic and personal point of view -- with the ideas that MARF is exploring to expand the therapies available for mesothelioma patients. The list is impressive: infusional, photodynamic and gene therapies, among others. I know from experience that there is no "standard of care" for mesothelioma.

We, as patients, embrace this reality and are prepared to move to the next best thing. But we’ll never know what's "best" unless medical centers aggressively recruit and patients actively participate in clinical trials. This is a process that should've started years ago, but better late than never.

Meso patients have advocates in the courtroom. They also need advocates in the laboratories and in the corridors of Congress where some cancer research money is allocated. AIDS, breast and prostate cancer all have their advocacy groups. MARF should fill the void for mesothelioma patients.

MARF is here to begin a new chapter. We believe that mesothelioma can be cured, if we are committed, if we mobilize, if we apply our collective brains and strength. We need to bridge the gap between the medical libraries and the hospital rooms; take the information out there already, add to it, focus it, harness it -- and bring it to the patient who was just diagnosed today.

Every single day a patient lives, hope remains that a cure can be found. If we know that our best and brightest are working on fixing the problem, we’ll have greater reason--greater hope-- to continue the fight.

To members of the drug and biotech industry, please help. Since this tumor is a microcosm of many solid tumors, every dollar spent to solve its mysteries could potentially help cure other forms of cancer -- prostate, lung and breast cancers.

To the asbestos companies, I ask you to take a hard look at your responsibility. The asbestos industry once touted asbestos as "the magic mineral." They were wrong. Many of you have acknowledged your negligence. Now it's time to help clean up the mess. MARF is not about fixing blame, we want to fix the problem. Let's do the right thing.

To the trial lawyers, for both sides, I ask you to expand your role as advocates. You have done good work in advocacy for your clients, but every mesothelioma patient’s first priority is life. He or she wants to live. You have the resources, wisdom and compassion. Please help commensurate with your wealth and knowledge.

To my colleagues in government, please fund research for mesothelioma at a proportionate level. Of the more than 30,000 cancer research grants awarded by the Federal government since 1987, only 48 grants even mention mesothelioma.

To the patients, let me say this. I know what you are going through. There is a public side and a private side to our battle. On the outside, we try to be strong. But inside it hurts. I can't help asking myself why in this great country after knowing about this cancer for so long and spending so many billions on litigation we haven't ever really tried to defeat the common enemy -- the tumor itself. Somebody needs to stand up and advocate for us. MARF can do that; mobilizing and giving the patient a determined voice.

I want to also thank the many patients -- my new brothers and sisters -- who have sent me so many heartwarming letters and kept me in your thoughts and prayers. I feel fortunate to have so many friends that support me in this fight. I’m from Minnesota and you don’t need to worry about my spirit. "I'll fight until Hell freezes over, and when that happens, I'll don a pair of ice skates and keep on slugging.