By Valerie Franchi, Contributing Writer
Westborough – While he did not get to drive the race car, Westborough native and cancer survivor Dave McGrath's role on the Rob Fuller Motorsports (RFM) team at the Thompson Speedway Icebreaker race April 6 was no less important.
Rob Fuller Motorsports and 15-40 Connection have teamed up to feature young cancer survivors during the 2014 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season in an effort to raise awareness of cancer symptoms and the obstacles teens and young adults face to diagnose cancer at earlier stages.?McGrath attended the race as an honorary crew member for RFM and his picture was featured on the race car.
“I lost an uncle to cancer when he was just 39 years old and I want to make sure we do our part to support 15-40 Connection and all that they do,” Fuller, who resides in Shrewsbury, said.
McGrath, who is now 39, was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 18, but prior to that he experienced a delayed diagnosis which was a learning experience that likely saved his life.
“I learned my lesson; I dealt with symptoms of Crohn's Disease for months before I finally went to the doctor because the pain was unbearable,” McGrath said. “At age 14, Crohn's Disease was found in my intestines and one and a half feet of them were removed.?After that, things were going fine for me, up until my 18th birthday when I started having double vision and headaches.?Unlike with my Crohn's Disease symptoms, I decided to see a doctor right away.”
That's when McGrath learned that he had a brain tumor that led to a diagnosis of cancer. He underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and following treatment was cancer-free.
Westborough-based nonprofit 15-40 Connection is a second-year partner with RFM and is committed to raising awareness of the fact that cancer survival rates in teens and young adults ages 15 to 40 have barely improved since 1975 in large part because of delays in diagnosis.? It is empowering individuals with knowledge that will save and improve lives through early cancer detection.
“Dave has been a volunteer speaker for 15-40 Connection since 2011 and annually speaks to hundreds of high school and college students sharing the lessons he learned through his diagnosis,” said Tricia Laursen, executive director at 15-40 Connection.?”The partnership with Rob Fuller has allowed our volunteers to reach new audiences that will hopefully save lives.”
A special decal featuring McGrath's image was featured on the rear deck lid and side panels of the #15 Chevrolet piloted by team driver and owner Rob Fuller.
“It was a surreal happiness to see myself on the #15(40) car,” McGrath said, “and glad that the message of 15-40 Connection and early cancer detection is reaching a wider audience.”
In addition to his volunteer work with 15-40 connection, McGrath works at the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in Worcester where cancer patients have free lodging and support while undergoing treatment.?He created Skating for Hope, a 24-hour ice skating event that's entering its fourth year and raised thousands to help cancer patients undergoing treatment.
“[The race] was an experience that ? I will never forget. It was something new and special combined with my passion of fighting cancer.?I’m proud to be part of the 15-40 Connection family, and very happy that Rob Fuller is on our team,” McGrath said.
Read more about McGrath at http://bit.ly/1540DM or visit?www.Facebook.com/1540connection?and?www.Twitter.com/1540connection.