It?s been almost 20 years since leukemia claimed the life of 43-year-old Rob Branham. But for family and friends of the Simsbury resident, the passion to help others battling the same disease has never faltered and the emotional weight of the month of September remains heavy.
September is National Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma Awareness Month.
For the past several years during the month of September, the Rob Branham Foundation, a nonprofit group created in Branham?s memory, has dedicated its efforts to raising awareness of leukemia and other blood disorders. The organization, headquartered in West Simsbury, also provides funding for bone marrow testing.
?As the month of September brings leukemia and other blood cancers into focus, our goal continues to be to educate the public about the disease, including its prevalence, treatment options, and resources,? Lin Branham, who works in her late husband?s memory as president of the Rob Branham Foundation, said in a press release. ?Great advances have been made in research and treatment, but the battle is far from over.?
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1 million North Americans are fighting blood cancers, the third-leading cause of cancer death. Every four minutes, someone in North America is diagnosed with a blood cancer, and every 10 minutes, someone dies from one of these diseases, according to the society.
Leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes are types of cancer that can affect the bone marrow, the blood cells, the lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system.
Branham, who was diagnosed with leukemia in January 1992, underwent a bone marrow transplant after a year-and-a-half search for a non-related donor, according to information on the foundation?s website. The surgery was successful and, on Sept. 3, 1993, he returned home to begin his recovery. During that time, unexpected complications arose, which eventually claimed his life on Oct. 12, 1993.
Filled with endless energy, Branham was affectionately known as ?Mr. Positive.?
He was an avid runner and water skier, loved music, and collected antique radios and televisions. He began his broadcasting career in high school, and worked in the Hartford radio market as the local sales manager at WDRC and Channel 61, and before that as account executive at WTNH-TV, Channel 8, and WFSB-TV, Channel 3.
National Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma Awareness Month, which is celebrated in communities throughout the nation, was also recognized by the Simsbury Board of Selectmen in a proclamation at its Sept. 10 meeting.
For more information on the Rob Branham Foundation, visit http://www.robsfoundation.org.
Article source: http://www.courant.com/community/county-hartford/hc-simsbury-rob-branham-foundation-20120917,0,3100656.story?track=rss
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