My name is Arnold Hardy and I am cancer survivor.  Unfortunately, cancer has been a factor in my life as well in the life of a few of my relatives.  I have been with the California Highway Patrol for 15 years and am currently assigned to Valley Division .  In December 2008, my life changed forever.  I had experienced Hermturia.  This is a medical term that is used when blood is discovered in urine.  Immediately I made an appointment with my doctor.  After a series of test, I was told that I had kidney cancer.  As the father of 3 remarkable children, I knew that I would fight this thing and beat it!  Luckily, I was able to have the cancer removed through surgery and was spared the pain of chemotherapy and radiation. 

While this story may seem like somewhat of a happy ending, I need to tell you about the other challenges that I was facing during my fight with cancer.  Ten years prior to my diagnosis, my mother Audrey was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She was in remission for ten years before we discovered that they had found cancer in her brain and her lungs.  It was a very difficult and emotional time for my family.  Here I was trying not to worry about my situation while helping my mom deal with hers.  Although my mother fought a good fight, she succumbed to this disease after 5 months on November 13, 2008.

As you can imagine, her passing was very difficult for me and my family.  Although I never wanted her to leave, I am grateful for the non-profits that assisted our family during my struggles, as well as my mother’s.  Hospice was wonderful!  They were there to help us out every step of the way and for that, we will be eternally grateful.  Since cancer had a direct impact on my life, I am personally passionate about supporting the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen in honor of my late mother.

I am grateful for the non-profit community and support my favorite charities through the California State Employees Charitable Campaign (CSECC).  Nobody knows when they might need some assistance.  From one day to the next your life could change.  Please join me in supporting you favorite non-profits during the 2010-2011 California State Employees Charitable Campaign (CSECC).