Posted: August 24, 2005

Triathlon: Two cancer survivors to compete at fourth annual Ford Ironman Wisconsin

MADISON, Wisc.-Skin cancer survivors Pete Daly (Madison, Wisc.) and Brian Brophy (Madison, Wisc.) will compete at the 2005 Ford Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon being held on Sept. 11 in Madison, Wisc.

Doctors diagnosed Daly with stage III melanoma in September of 2002 and gave him a 50/50 chance for survival. Consequently, doctors had to perform immediate surgeries to remove a patch of skin from his arm and lymph nodes from his armpit.

Daly continued his triathlon training after surgery but discovered his melanoma had returned while training for the 2004 Ford Ironman Wisconsin. Daly was cleared to compete in the event but was given strict orders not to run a step during the marathon due to metastasizes in his right foot. Daly walked every step of the 26-mile run course and finished the race with an overall time of sixteen hours, 12 minutes and 59 seconds.

Daly's condition worsened to stage IV later in the year, as doctors found multiple metastasizes at distances from the original site. Daly entered several periods of extensive treatment and completed a round of radiation and surgery in the spring.

Daly switched careers during his battle with cancer, moving from a 28-year stint as a consulting engineer to a patient advocate with the Center for Patient Partnerships at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Daly now assists other patients in like circumstances and teaches professional degree students about patient centered care.

Brophy, a former participant in triathlon events during his collegiate years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, renewed his interest in the sport after watching the inaugural Ford Ironman Wisconsin in 2002.

Brophy competed at the 2003 Ford Ironman Wisconsin and finished in 10:48:15. However, Brophy noticed a red splotch under his right eye after the race, which was revealed to be non-melanoma skin cancer.

Brophy underwent a revolutionary method of skin-cancer removal at the Mohs' clinic in Madison. With the aid of pathology testing, doctors cut the least amount of tissue possible from Brophy's face to rid the cancer, allowing him to save as much healthy tissue as possible. Subsequent tests were then completed to ensure the borders of the cancerous area were free from the disease.

Daly and Brophy continue a healthy progression, and both will compete at the four annual Ford Ironman Wisconsin.

More than 2,000 triathletes from around the world are expected to compete in the 2005 Ford Ironman Wisconsin. Athletes will be competing for 80 qualifying spots to the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $30,000 pro- prize purse.

For more information on this release or on the 2005 Ford Ironman Wisconsin contact Ironman North America Public Relations Coordinator Josh Hernandez at 303-442-9097 ex. 35 or via e-mail at josh@ironmanusa.com.