Part 2 - Livestrong Challenge San Jose. Meet Team Familia Medeiros.

July 11, 4:40 PMSan Jose Fitness ExaminerAmy Rabinovitz

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John and Nancy Gonsalves, two participants in the Livestrong
Challenge San Jose, browse the booths the day before the event.
Photo: Amy Rabinovitz

Walking the plaza, which is the start and finish line for Livestrong Challenge San Jose, you meet the nicest people. Like John and Nancy Gonsalves.

In 1977, Nancy Gonsalves' brother had testicular cancer.

Back then, there weren't a lot of drugs available, but he was able to participate in clinical trials going on at Stanford University.  He survived that brush with death.

Five years later the drugs were approved by the FDA and shortly thereafter,  Nancy's brother-in-law (John's brother) was diagnosed with testicular cancer.  He was given those same drugs Nancy's brother had tested and also survived.

Several years later, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed and received the same course of treatment once tested by Nancy's brother.

• See Part 1 of the Livestrong Challenge Report
• Check out the event info and street closings
• Livestrong Challenge notes - part 3
• Check out the results of this year's events

Nancy's brother has since died from another form of cancer.  Tomorrow, the Gonsalves are participating in the Livestrong Challenge as part of a family team: Team Familia Medeiros.

16 family members raised $2200. One is cycling in the 100-mile course, in honor of his father who is undergoing treatment for renal cell carcinoma.  The extended family has several other members who are cancer survivors. 

"Only one is cycling," said Nancy. "The others are walking or running.  Mostly walking." 

Standing outside the Amgen booth, the Gonsalves were picking up free buttons. Some that read, "I love a Cancer Survivor."  Others that proclaim, "Choose Hope."   For their family, that's a truth they live by.