I was born in March of 1964 and staying in shape to keep up with my wife (pictured above) and clients is very important to me!  I  lift weights, bike, run, swim, boulder, hike.....  Also, draw and paint when time allows.

 I grew up on swim teams and have always biked and ran.  Started lifting weights when I was 14 and as an adult, particitpated in numerous bike/running races, triathlons and even did a few bodybuilding shows.

Being civically minded, I have hosted many athletic events for charity (founder of the Village to Village 10k, Pepper Place Criterium. Hope for Gabe 5k, Build a Library 5k...) Also, I’m always looking for opportunities to promote a healthy lifestyle such as: building a fitness trail around Spoonwood Lake, initiated the weekly Wednesday Night Run in Mt Laurel, started the ball rolling for a cross-walk/sidewalks on South Shades Crest Road, brought the opportunity for the YMCA to staff a fitness room at a local retirement center and started a cleanliness program at the Shades Valley Family YMCA.

Something that most don't know about me is that I am a 3 time cancer survivor - Renal Cell Carcinoma. The tumors in the right kidney were discovered in November of 1993 by participating in a 14 year old's science fair project (consistent high blood pressure led me to a doctor's visit). An ultra sound detected 4-5 large masses taking up about 95% of the right kidney.  The right kidney was compeltely removed in March of 1994 at St Vincent's Hospital here in Birmingham Alabama.

Then, in September of 2003, Amy and I were coming in from a bike ride when I was hit from behind by a conversion van traveling around 50mph.  After spending the afternoon in the ER, all the scans showed masses in my left, and only, kidney.  The doctors re-evaluted me again 6 weeks later after the swelling in my thorax had subsided... more scans were made.  It didn't look good.  I was sent to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland Ohio to a partial nephrectomy specialist in January 2004. It wasn't as bad as they thought.  2 lesions were located at the poles of the kidney. They took up about 10% each (plus margins) and were removed. That left me with about 80% of one kidney.

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The third time was discovered during my annual physical/ultra-sound in November of 2016. Again, the tell-tale was high blood pressure and I made sure an ultrasound was performed at the appointment.  The tumor was 3cm/2.5/2.2  and located in the bottom pole.   It was removed December 7, 2016.  The tumor was sent off for genetic testing and the results were negative.  With that being said, I'll be checked out twice a year for the rest of my life.  

Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma has vague symptoms - high blood pressure, blood in urine, back ache.... If the tumor is encapsulated within the kidney, chances of survival are very good.  It it metastases, then chances decrease significantly. I suggest everyone get an ultrasound of the kidneys once a year and please support the Kidney Cancer Foundation (http://www.kidneycancer.org)