If you have been enjoying the talent, dedication, twists and turns of the wonderful winter Olympics this week, then you know that the podium is often just split seconds or centimeters away.

It’s like cancer. Really, Joanne isn’t that a stretch? Nope. Just like the cross country skier risking a major groin strain, stretching his ski just ahead to gain second place at the finish line, so too, the smallest maneuvers matter.

Last week the ACRO meeting was filled with ways to address cancers with minimal side effects and minimal doses of radiation and chemo. Even the benign disease category of treating various arthritis regions (not spine yet) presented by a professor from Germany was detailing minute doses for maximum effect. The “TARGET” trial at MD Anderson is finding that hanging our hats on immunotherapies may only garner limited effects. So a study is out for GBM, hard to treat, with ways to kick the T cells in the ass and keep them responsive to treatments, instead of having the cancer win.* Again, small tweaks in an already burgeoning area make all the difference.

It is one of the reasons I don’t object to AI in the cancer fight. It takes thousands of iterations in record time to find the minutia that matters. No longer one bench scientist at a desk. However that doctor must use his amazing mind to even consider options or paths to reconfigure cells for treatment.

Medicine and cancer treatment have become extremely nuanced. No, everyone will not be cured. Sadly bringing the light to colo-rectal cancer in younger people found us losing that battle for James Van Der Beek. Why didn’t new therapies do the job? Too often many factors still unknown are part of the complexity in younger people for all cancers. As we age, we expect illness, a wearing down of sorts, less ability to snap back or even respond or tolerate therapies. For young, fit people, there are still unknown factors that interfere, even with the best of medicine.

So, is there hope? Is there a chance that you can face a difficult time and still succeed and enjoy life? Yes, because that day begins today. Love your loved ones, embrace your family and friends, pray and trust, make plans even if they do not come to fruition, because anticipation and joy is a big part of wellness. We do not give up hope, even if the obstacles seem insurmountable. The definition of success is in the effort, not the result. Just look to the Olympians for inspiration. Their spirit, energy, and determination remind us that winning lies within, even in the tiny moments of a smile, a held hand, words of support and comfort. We can all be champions and recognize that we can champion others. God Bless my friends and family on this journey and you and your families, dear reader. Valentine’s (my grandfathers name!) Day is a great time to remember that even when the body fails, love triumphs.

PS: Since it is Valentines Day weekend, even a smooch minutia will brighten someone’s day, so give freely, with love in your heart…… everyday.

*Lang,et.al, Clinical Cancer Research, Systemic immune correlates of long term survival after Delta 24-RGD based on Therapeutic Adenovirus for recurrent Glioblastoma Effect Trial ( TARGET), Jan.29,2026.