When I’m asked about my journey with MD Anderson, I’m immediately taken back to a sunny, windy day on the roads of Cozumel, Mexico. In many ways, this was where my journey as an MD Anderson patient ended and my new life as an advocate began.

For as long as I can remember, it was my dream to compete in an IRONMAN triathlon. The grueling triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run was right up my...