Mesothelioma survivor’s uphill climb gains some traction in cancer fight

Veteran Pompano Beach runner Larry Davis has been in the toughest of races for several years, a relentless uphill climb to bring awareness and gain support for the fight against mesothelioma.

Davis is a survivor of the lethal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. He not only continues to stay a step ahead of the disease and run in road races, he is part of a group that actually had an impact in Washington recently.

Working with the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, he had a hand in securing the support of about 50 members of Congress to create National Mesothelioma Awareness Day on Sept. 26. And most important, to gain support for funding research to combat the disease.

“It’s hard to believe that a group such as ours could go to [Washington] and get the attention of Congress and get them to do something,” Davis said. “It’s huge. I feel pretty good about what we did.”

Mesothelioma is the cancer that killed singer Warren Zevon, actor Steve McQueen and recently NFL Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen. But those are just a few of the big names; this disease impacts families across the country.

Davis’ father was exposed to asbestos at a box manufacturing plant in New Haven, Conn., and died at age 56 from mesothelioma. On Labor Day, Davis and wife, Carol, plan to run in the USA 20K Championship in New Haven, which will pass within a block of that building.

Then he’ll run a meso benefit race in Illinois the weekend of national awareness day.

“The organizer told me, ‘We’ve got hills, they’ll kill you.’ I’d rather go that way,” Davis joked.

Meanwhile, the Miles For Meso 5K that Davis helped organize last winter in Boca Raton, will return Feb. 13 at Spanish River Park, he said. The race against meso goes on and on.