A friend of mine just made the cover of the Chinese Journal Of Cancer Dr Malcom Simons. I’ve blogged about his inspirational perspective several times on this and other blogs.

The cover portrait entitled, “Dr DNA”, is of Professor Malcolm James Simons. Born in 1939 in New Zealand, Simons was Director of the WHO Immunology Research & Training Centre, University of Singapore, from 1970 to 1976, during which time he established an HLA genetic laboratory for Chinese, Malays, and Indians and discovered HLA genetic associations with diseases including nasopharyngeal carcinoma and hepatitis B-associated hepatocyte carcinoma.

Perhaps best known as the inventor of the 1989/90 “junk DNA” patents that found diagnostic value for genome-wide association studies in non-coding DNA, Simons created another suite of far-reaching patents on single chromosome analysis of linear DNA and of epigenetic haplotypes starting in 2005.

In 1979, Simons and his life-long colleague, Brian Tait, were the first foreigners to conduct an HLA and NPC Workshop in China at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. In 2010, now a visiting professor in the same university, Simons is bringing a lifetime of experience to HLA and whole-genome data analysis of NPC that he expects will reveal hitherto-unrecognised genetic characteristics.

Simons is eight years out from a diagnosis of the currently incurable cancer multiple myeloma. During this time, he has continued working throughout his various treatments. As befits an indomitable spirit with a formidable focus, Simons has been even more productive, using the cancer as a means of reevaluating his life, researching, and developing another biotechnology company.

The cover portrait, created by Ann Abrahmsen, an artist and Simons’ wife, shows him serene yet slightly quizzical, surrounded by a sea of DNA printouts, his hands at rest, and his contribution to the work complete. To read his latest editorial and related manuscripts in this issue of the Chinese Journal of Cancer, please see pages 79-123.

INSPIRATIONAL STORY #1

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago . Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed “Easy Eddie.” He was Capone’s lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie’s skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of  the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld.  Price was no object.

And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong.  Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was.

Yet, with all his  wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn’t give his son; he couldn’t pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done.

He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al “Scarface” Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify
against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a  lonely Chicago Street .  But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay.
Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read:

The clock of life is wound but once,
and no man has the power
to tell just when the hands will stop,
at late or early hour.
Now is the only time you own.
Live, love, toil with a will.
Place no faith in time.
For the clock may soon be still.

INSPIRATIONAL STORY #2

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare.

He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he  looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank.

He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his  ship.

His flight leader told him to return to the carrier.  Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.

As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet.

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn’t reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the  fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber’s blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent.

Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to  clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly.

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O’Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier.

Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet.  He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.  This took place on February 20, 1942 , and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29.  His home town would  not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O’Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage
of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O’Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch’s memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It’s located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

Butch O’Hare was “Easy Eddie’s” son.

(Pretty cool, eh! We must all set a good example, every day.)

Today’s post is about a guy I met at the 2009 Australian Masters Games, his name is Dr Malcolm Simons.

Truth be told, Malcolm contacted me BEFORE the games because he heard that I was presenting “The Mindset Of A Champion” and was unfortunately unable to attend. He apologised for missing the presentation but said he was going to come watch me play one of my matches (squash) which he did.

That’s what Champions do.

He sent me this e-mail (presented here with permission):

I’m in my 70th year, so playing in the 65-69.  In a previous life I played for Oz in 1966 and was 2nd to Geoff Hunt in the Vic State team from ~’64 to ’69.  I’ve also got Multiple Myeloma, currently regarded as incurable, which I imagine I’ll transform into a chromic disease, and at which I’m not doing badly after 6 years.  So 8 weeks ago I thought I’d provide further inspiration to cancer patients and their carers by starting gym work and re-emerging into squash.  “You’re doing what” say most incredulous patients.  My 6 children counsel “don’t over do it Dad, don’t you think that’s going a bit far”.  As a physician/pathologist and a couple of other ‘ians’ and ‘ists’ I’ve diagnosed and treated patients with my affliction so I’m better connected to the process as it is known, and to the irrepressibly optimistic mindset based on a certain knowledge of the chatter between my brain and my immune system, that is much less well known.

I went on to win the Silver Medal in the Men’s 45-49 age category for squash…

Dr Marc Dussault 2009 Australian Masters Games Silver Medallist 45-49

Don’t give up on the story…

Stick with me here…

There IS A POINT TO ALL THIS…

After the competition Malcolm sends me this e-mail.

That’s what Champions do…

Well done on your success.  I took the court, so fulfilling my quest to participate, so I’m awarding my-self (body and brain) the gold medal for application after 30 years in only 9 weeks preparation.  I was easily beaten because I could barely walk let alone run.  Realising that I wouldn’t put a horse back on the track if I was aware of tendon stiffness, so I defaulted to give the opportunity for my opponent to have a substitute to play.

So that’s Phase 1.  Now for Phase 2, in Sydney next October! (The World Masters Games!!!!)

Mary Holmes told me that you are aiming for the top 16…

If you are aware of any situation where my person can contribute to the inspiration of others, do let me know.  Whether or not, give me a few weeks before proposing to get on the court, and I’ll show you and your game how to move towards top ranking without costing you more application of time than you have apportioned for yourself.  I’m aiming for number one in Sydney.

Hang on… just a little bit longer…

BE PATIENT – it’ll be worth it – I PROMISE!!!

Here’s my offer.  You are much more  mobile than me, both on the court as well as, in the context of my offer,  off.  You find a way to get to Geelong beginning from April, and I’ll  help lift your horizon to mine, which is to win my age group in October.   By April I expect to be sufficiently mobile to make it worth anyone’s  while to be on a court with me.  My time is even more valuable than  yours, because I’m living on borrowed time, now for 6 years.  When this  current chemotherapy runs its course, I currently have only one last option  available, and that has to be with an indwelling catheter.  In my  remaining time I’m fully committed to developing genetic and genomic  diagnostic technologies that will be definitive (as detailed in my website -  www.haplomictechnologies.com.  That occupies me till around midnight and from 5am, or 6am, if  I sleep in.  So I haven’t made such an offer in the last 6 years, and I  don’t expect to make it again.  The principal factor in my offer is  your mindset, capacity for application, focus, and willingness to learn.   If you have an alternative way to accept my offer that work’s better  for you, feel free to suggest.  If it doesn’t work, that’s fine too,  and I’ll see you in October, if not before.

Here’s the point.

Check out Malcolm’s squash accomplishments (in summary):

• 1964-69 Victoria State team, 2nd to Geoff Hunt, World Amateur Champion during this period (1967-69)
• 1966 Australian team to Southern Africa.
• 1970-76 Singapore Open Champion
• Beat Heather Mackay in an exhibition match during her uninterrupted 19 year championship wins.
• 1975 First Far East Asian Champion

Plus this guy’s got a colorful life history outside of squash check it out by clicking here -> Malcolm Simons – Genius of Junk (DNA).

So what’s the point?

Here’s a former Champion, multiple-times-over, battling for his life against a deadly disease and he wants to get on the court with me…

How friggin’ crazy is that?!?! C-R-A-Z-Y….!

That’s what Champions do.

I am going to make a special trip to Geelong JUST TO GET ON COURT WITH HIM. I will be honored, privileged and forever grateful for the priceless, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

This is how a MasterMind Group gets created.

It happens automatically, magically and unexpectedly BECAUSE the Law Of Attraction makes sure of it.

Put yourself out there, raise the bar and what you need to get to the next level will COME TO YOU.

Believe it.

That’s what Champions do.