My husband, Ron Neely, and longtime friend of Charlie Corbitt passed away on July 10, 2008 at the age of 64 after a five year battle with Stage IV colon cancer. When the cancer was discovered it had already spread to his liver. He was given a prognosis of 9 to 12 months but exceeded that time because of the wonderful treatment at Atlanta Cancer Care. Until someone you love is diagnosed with such a dreaded disease, you have no concept of how important funding is to find a cure. Charlie is a very special person who has dedicated so much of his time, love and energy toward building Soccer For a Cure. He too has suffered from melanoma cancer for years. I can remember the times that Ron and Charlie would meet for lunch and talk about their conditions. They were so encouraging to each other.

Ron was such an inspiration to everyone that knew him. He continued working for almost five years even though he was having chemotherapy every week. He was the type of person that never complained nor felt sorry for himself, even though he had to endure many things such as major surgery, a stoma bag for a couple of years until it was reversed, a staff infection, and numbness in his legs and feet. Even though he passed away at the early age of 64, he would always say that he was lucky to have lived that long as so many die younger.

He loved golf and tennis and even continued playing golf for four years. His golf buddies would take care of him by driving the cart to whatever location he had to be to make that special shot. I knew when he gave up the game that the cancer was robbing him of his strength.

We all miss his wit, his warm smile and his love for food. He never lost weight during his illness as he always was thinking about his next meal. His determination to beat the cancer was what kept me going and being strong for him.

I learned through his experience that you have to have faith and believe God is right there beside you. Having a positive attitude during the cancer helps you to get further down the road. He definitely beat the odds the doctors gave him. This is why it is so important that funding for cancer research continues to grow as one day there will be a cure. A day that everyone suffering from the disease and their families will embrace.

Ron, may you rest in peace.

Submitted by Marilyn Neely - Ron's wife