Pursuing a promise

Cedar Park resident survives rare cancer, competes in triathlons to combat it

irk Offel seemed to have the world at his feet. Nothing could stop him. He was a family man, a veteran, a hard-working and very goal-oriented man.

He had a strong sense of professional ambition in corporate America. He liked spending time with his family and they often talked about going camping or taking the kids on different trips. But he always put it off - thinking they would do it one day. This Cedar Park resident now understands that every moment should be cherished.

After getting out of the United States Navy in 2000, Offel got a degree in business and became a project manager for Eaton Corporation. Last September he decided to start running again - a run that could ultimately have saved his life.

Offel went to the doctor for knee pain that he thought was from an old wrestling injury. However, x-rays and tests determined that he had sarcoma, a very deadly form of cancer that accounts for only 2 percent of cancers in adults.

“I was told I had sarcoma,” Offel said. “I didn't even know what it was. I'd never heard of it.”

Doctors at MD Anderson Cancer Center told him the only way to stop the deadly disease from spreading to his lungs and brain was to take part of his leg. They were hoping to take about a softball-sized portion of the muscle, but worst case was an amputation.

Going into the nine-hour surgery, Offel told his doctors if they could save his leg he would help raise money for sarcoma awareness.

“I told them I'd raise $50,000 and try to put sarcoma on the map,” he said.

A year later, with a golf-ball size chunk of muscle missing from his leg, that is exactly what Offel is doing. Offel wasn't even sure if he would ever be able to run, but he promised the doctors that he would raise the money through triathlons.

True to his word, Offel began physical therapy in January and by April he participated in his first triathlon in Newport Beach, Calif. “I averaged 7 minutes per mile on the run, after I wasn't even sure six months ago that I would ever run again,” Offel said.

The father of three also started the non-profit Veterans for Sarcoma, and has about 35 teammates who run triathlons and marathons all over the country to represent the team and help the cause.

Veterans for Sarcoma will descend on Austin this weekend for the Longhorn Ironman Triathlon, which consists of a 1.2-mile swim, a 13-mile run and biking 56 miles.

“My medical team is even coming to watch the event,” Offel said.

He said prior to his diagnosis he had no ambition to participate in triathlons, but now he wants to do anything he can to help.

So far the team has raised about $15,000 and Offel believes it could reach $20,000 by the end of the year. Asked if he will quit after the promised $50,000 is raised, Offel said probably not.

“It's not for me though; it's for the disease,” Offel said. It was very disconcerting, he said, when he couldn't find much information about sarcoma. His plan is to make sure that doesn't happen for others.

Though Offel does have to go for tests every three months and has had several shakeups since his surgery, he is just trying to take each day as it comes.

“I've stopped putting things off and everything gets planned no more than six months in advance,” Offel said. “It's been a curse and a blessing. My most important thing in life is life.”

His time is spent with his wife Dawn and their three children: Tanor, almost 5; Caden, 3 and Campbell, 16 months.

Offel also has a website, www.veteransforsarcoma.com, with information about sarcoma, team news and how to get involved.

“I have no idea what I'm doing,” Offel said. “I just made a promise to help. Now that I'm drawn in, it really inspires me to keep going.”

E-mail jenn@hillcountrynews.com

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