My Moon Shot

Donald Lowd is a retired Air Force veteran whose civilian career landed him at a retina practice in Houston. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, he refused to accept the dismal odds he was initially given. He turned instead to MD Anderson and Christopher Logothetis, M.D., chair of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, to help him win "the Super Bowl of life."

BY Donald Lowd

Donald Lowd and his wife, Sharon. Photo by F. Carter Smith.

It was the third quarter, so to speak, and I was losing. I needed synergy to help me. I started with support from my family around me, people at work and a great medical team at MD Anderson. And of course I relied on my faith. There’s no comparison to the combination of expertise and caring at MD Anderson. I’ve felt so comfortable being there. The staff is upbeat and positive. You have people who really care about you, and that gives you hope. You can go anywhere in the world to get treatment for prostate cancer, but MD Anderson is outstanding. It’s the top place to be treated. It’s absolutely phenomenal that the Moon Shots Program is focusing on prostate cancer. The patients behind me and patients in the future — we’ll all benefit.

What’s your moon shot? Contact us at promise @mdanderson.org and tell us why MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program is important to you.

"It's absolutely phenomenal that the Moon Shots Program is focusing on prostate cancer. The patients behind me and patients in the future - we'll all benefit."

Donald Lowd

survivor

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Lyle Lovett, 56, is a Grammy Award-winning country singer-songwriter and actor. When Lovett isn't traveling, he lives on the family farm where he was raised in Klein, just outside of Houston. He recently demonstrated his talents behind the wheel at the Grand Prix of Houston's Celebrity Go-Kart Race benefiting MD Anderson.

Survivors Say

Angel "Angie" Jimenez, 82, is the founder and former owner of Mclean Cargo Specialists, an international freight forwarding and export packer. An active community volunteer, he served as the Rotary Club of Houston's president in 2012-2013, the organization's centennial year. Jimenez came to MD Anderson as a prostate cancer patient seven years ago and later was treated for bladder cancer. He's proud that, with the help of "MD Anderson's great Urology team," he's a two-time survivor.