Steve Rogers: “Running Two More”

How Steve Rogers is Continuing to put in the Extra Work While Battling Prostate Cancer

Growing up, Steve Rogers played baseball in high school and college. He remembers rigorous practices, and at the end, running stadium steps. When the team thought they had finished the workout, the coach would often challenge them with three simple words, “Run two more”. Now, nearly 60 years later, he’s still pushing those for those two more – just in a different way.

Steve was diagnosed with prostate cancer on February 14, 2018, at 68 years old. It is not his favorite Valentine’s Day, but it is a memorable one. Upon diagnosis, Steve immediately wanted to start treatment. He had options and chose to undergo radiation rather than surgery, per his doctor’s advice.

After two rounds of radiation, Steve’s PSA levels were not where they should be. So, Steve sought a second opinion that introduced him to a new cancer medication. Since then, he’s been on that medication every day. The medication hasn’t eliminated the cancer, but has controlled it.

“I have cancer, but I’m beating it. I’m thankful for what God has blessed medical science, one to be able to detect this stuff and two, to have different treatments and different options. 100 years ago, or 50 years ago, I’d be dead. It’s an ugly disease, but you just have to keep moving forward.”

When he was diagnosed, Steve chose to become a financial supporter of the V Foundation for Cancer Research. He followed Jim Valvano’s coaching career and remembered watching the incredible speech Jim gave at the 1993 ESPYS. The inspiring words, plus learning more about the V Foundation and its mission, made the choice to fund meaningful cancer research easy.

Steve Rogers

Taking this new drug, Steve worried if it would become ineffective or if the cancer would beat it. His doctor assured him that research had developed other options as well.

“There’s a line of answers, we have some answers. One of the reasons I have supported the V Foundation is one, you’re working on it, and two, the money that’s given goes directly to support the research. It’s going straight to people working on finding a cure for this nasty disease.”

“We’ll crack the code on cancer. Coach Valvano didn’t use those words, but that was in his speech. That was the importance of research and helping to fund research, let’s find a cure so that we can affect or make a difference in someone else’s life. Maybe not in mine, certainly wasn’t in his, but at some point, if we keep after this and keep supporting this, we’ll get it. We’ll find the answer to cancer.”

Now, Steve continues to beat cancer every day with the help of advancements made in cancer research. He is the proud grandfather of four. He happily says if he could have chosen, he would have had grandchildren first. In addition, Steve and his wife have served heavily in the local foster care system.

Steve is also passionate about telling his story. Throughout his cancer battle, he has held three things close to his heart:

First, a passion for educating and encouraging men to get their PSA levels checked. Prostate cancer now has one of the highest survival rates (97%), but early detection and screenings are key.

Second, he carries a laminated card that reads “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!” on it. He encourages all who are faced with cancer to do the same to serve as a reminder.

Third, he reflects back to the days playing baseball and running stadium steps after practice. Today, he’s not running, but he is continuing to push.

“When you’re coming down that 10th time, you’re sweaty and tired and can’t wait to get into the shower. Coach says … ‘Run two more.’ I live my life every day like it’s run two more. You got two more in you, run two more. I’m thankful for every day despite my disease.”

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