Don Malone and his family live day by day. Since May 1990, Don has fought a battle with cancer. Through his story, the Malone family hopes to make the journey easier for others fighting the disease and to raise money for cancer research.

After doctors diagnosed Don with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, he endured nine months of chemotherapy and some radiation necessitating a bone marrow transplant in June 1991. Don was cancer-free until the fall 2008 when he was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndromes, caused by the earlier chemotherapy and radiation.

"Our family was devastated. We thought it was over," said Don's wife, Pam.

Don had a second bone marrow transplant on New Year's Eve in 2008, requiring Pam to take a 7-week leave from her teaching job to care for him. Although the recovery was tough, Don progressed well until six months later when the bone marrow he received from his brother rejected Don's body and began to attack his organs. Since that time Don has been admitted to the hospital on numerous occasions, almost dying on two or three times, according to Pam.

Don lost about 80 pounds. Because his immune system is compromised, he is restricted to the home most of the time. "He is a skeleton of his former self, but he works so hard to beat this thing," Pam said.

"A weaker person would be dead by now," Pam said. "But (Don's) faith in God, wonderful doctors and will to survive keep him alive."

On Aug. 21 and 22, Don's daughter Lindsay, who was 7 years old when he was first diagnosed, will participate in the Pelotonia Ride 2010. All of the proceeds raised by Pelotonia and its riders goes directly to fund cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

Lindsay pledged to raise $1,500 and to ride 102 miles from Columbus to Athens, Ohio, over the course of the two days. "Cancer is such a helpless feeling for family members," Lindsay said. "I wish I could help him, take away the pain, or make him well. But I can't. This is something I can do.

"This race is so important because we all know someone who has been affected by cancer. It's not going anywhere anytime soon," she added. "Seeing my dad go through two bone marrow transplants, I have seen how technology, better knowledge of drugs, etc. has helped him survive. What better gift can I give my dad than riding in his honor?"

"We are just one family in millions who has a story about cancer. But, my prayer is that our story will touch lives, bring glory to God, make the journey easier for others, and also that money will be raised to beat this cruel disease," said Pam. "Our life is a day-by-day way of living, trusting God and putting one foot in front of the other. It's (sharing our story) the only way I know how to help. He's fought this long and hard."

Read more about Don's story in the book, "Full Circle: A Journey of Faith and Fly Fishing" by April Conrad. The book is based on Don's battle with cancer. Don and April met through Hooked On a Cure, a Fly Fishing event that benefits St. Jude's Children Hospital. According to Pam, a portion of the proceeds from the book sales goes to St. Jude's for cancer research.

For information on the race or book, visit www.pelotonia.org/ride/riders, www.bethelroad publications.com/ fullcircle.htm or search for the information on Facebook.