A few years ago I was fat and out of shape. I got tired of it and decided to do something about it. 

Over several years I went to the gym 3 or 4 times a week. I didn't do anybody's insanity workout. I studied and talked to some people and came up with plans that would work for me. 

Sometimes I missed. Sometimes things came up and just didn't have time. I was sick on occasion but, more often than not, I went. 

I went down from 300 to 240- over time. I haven't looked or felt this good in years.

Fast forward to February of this year- I discovered that my older brother has bone marrow cancer and needs a stem cell transplant to have any chance at remission or a cure. 

The hospital he went to, SCCA(1), immediatly began screening me as a donor. They didn't like my age. People over 40 don't produce as many stem cells. They tested me and found me to be a 10 point match.

Earlier this month I flew out to Seattle and underwent the physical from hell where I discovered: 1) I'm healthy  2) I'm not just healthy but in the top 10% for men my age bracket healthy 3) My cardiovascular health was such that I could be a donor.

I know WHY I decided to get in shape. It was something I did for myself. It turned out to be about more than just me. 

That fat guy from 3 years ago- he wouldn't have made the cut. 

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1- Seattle Cancer Care Alliance