Eight years ago, leukemia patient Bob Kiesendahl's life was saved by the treatments he received at the Hutchinson Center — and through the generosity of a bone-marrow donor he'd never met. Bob emerged from his ordeal determined to help others.

"Cancer never leaves you, it's always in the back of your head," Bob said. "The whole experience: What you went through and how far you've come. What if it comes back? These are all very powerful thoughts and emotions."

Addressing these emotional concerns and the physical difficulties that can follow cancer treatment is critical to the health of the estimated 10 million cancer survivors in the United States.

Reminded of his own struggles when he read about the newly established Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program, Bob called from his home in Pennsylvania to offer his support. He donated more than $17,000 in proceeds from his annual charity golf tournament directly to the program, a member of the Lance Armstrong Foundation's LIVESTRONG™ Survivorship Center of Excellence Network.

Fittingly, Bob recently won the foundation's LIVESTRONG™ Survivor Award for his commitment to help other cancer survivors live life to the fullest, a commitment he shares with the Survivorship Program. Since establishing his golf tournament in 2001, Bob has given more than $91,000 to Hutchinson Center programs, including those serving cancer survivors.

"Survivorship programs provide much-needed care, guidance and comfort to those who are entering the next phase of their lives after cancer," Bob said. "There is a major adjustment that occurs after you are released from cancer care. It's a stage of redefining oneself. Emotional, physical and financial hurdles must be crossed before truly reaching health and inner peace, and that's why survivorship programs are so critical."

For more information on services provided by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program or to arrange an appointment, call (866) 543-4272 or visit www.fhcrc.org/survivorship.