Together, Let’s Hammer Cancer!
“In high school, my friend faced a rare bone cancer, undergoing intense treatment that left a lasting impact on me. Her resilience taught me the power of support. Cancer research helped her survive, and now she’s thriving. Today, I believe that just as an athlete needs a team, researchers need us.” ETHAN KATZBERG, OLYMPIC CHAMPION, AMBASSADOR OF THE CANCER RESEARCH SOCIETY
While he is known as a hammer throw Olympic champion, Ethan Katzberg wants to share something much more personal. When he was in high school, a close friend of his was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer, Ewing sarcoma, in her arm.
A Diagnosis Filled with Emotion
Ethan still remembers the moment she broke her arm after an awkward fall during a physical education class.
“I still remember when she accidentally broke her arm after an awkward fall in PE class. Later, I found myself sitting casually on a trampoline with my best friends when she broke the news of her diagnosis and the intense treatment that would follow: bone cancer with 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 25 rounds of radiation, 8 major surgeries to rebuild her arm (thanks to a bone donor), and over a year of treatments.”
For Ethan, it was a new, almost surreal feeling. He’d never imagined cancer affecting someone so close to him at such a young age.
“I wanted to help, but at that time, all I could really do was join her on small walks to help keep her spirits up. And you know what? She was as positive as anyone could be. That experience taught me a lesson I still carry with me in every sphere of my life.”
When she began chemotherapy, Ethan’s best friend shaved his head in solidarity. On Ethan’s end, he promised he would grow his hair to his shoulders with her when her treatment was complete, and he still has those long locks today!
A Community Against Cancer
“I often wonder how different her story would have been if she’d had this cancer 30 years ago. Thanks to advances in cancer research, my friend is still here today, thriving and helping others as a nurse.”
As he grew up, it became clear that cancer affects almost everyone in one way or another. It’s rare to meet someone who hasn’t been touched, whether a family member, a friend, or a partner. But it also means that it’s a cause we can all come together around.
When he thinks about what we can do as a community, he thinks about the power of people pushing forward together. As an athlete, he counts on the support of his team, coach, family, and friends, researchers rely on us to help them keep going.
“It’s not about one person or one donation; it’s about a community coming together. If hundreds, even thousands of us contribute, we will advance research.”
As an athlete, training in hammer throw taught him that progress often comes from failures and the lessons we learn from them. Cancer research is similar. It’s a complex field that requires continuous effort, cutting-edge equipment, and the resilience to face countless setbacks before achieving breakthroughs.
“By supporting cancer research, we’re not only funding essential projects; we’re helping to change lives. We’re empowering researchers to make real, impactful progress. I may not be able to conduct research myself, but I can stand behind the people who do. So, I ask you to join me!”
Together, we can hammer cancer!
Your story
Every experience counts. Whether you have been affected by cancer directly or indirectly, your story can offer comfort, inspire hope, and strengthen the sense of solidarity among those going through a similar challenge.