Yesterday marked the end of a historic journey that took Luke Robinson and his two “fuzzybutts”, Husdon and Murphy, from Austin, Texas to historic Boston, Massachusetts all in the name of creating awareness of canine cancer. Luke started this amazing journey after his dog, Malcom, died of cancer in 2006 . He made a promise to Malcom that he would help to not only spread awareness of canine cancer but he would also help to find a cure for cancer in our four-legged friends. And Luke held true to his promise.
Over 2 yrs. and 2300 miles later, Luke finally reached Boston. I have been a huge supporter of this cause from the beginning since two of my dogs had cancer. One succumbed to cancer and her name, Shebe, can be found on one of the T-shirts that 2dogs2000miles created over the span of this journey.
Yesterday, my husband and I traveled to Boston to attend the Puppy Up! Festival at Boston Common. A beautiful park located in central Boston. A perfect day and perfect place befitting such a worthy cause.
To top the day’s festivites at Boston Common, which included the final mile walk with visitors from at least 18 different states with Luke, Hudson and Murphy, Luke had his long hair cut off and donated to Locks of Love. Luke is a true champion in my book.
But the journey has only begun for Luke. The next step for Luke is helping a new $5.3 million canine cancer project recently launched by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI). They are trying to collect DNA samples from at least 2000 dogs.
“Luke started out just trying to raise awareness, but he clearly had in his mind the desire to see this benefit dogs with cancer, and owners of dogs with cancer,” said Dr. Mark Neff, director of the new TGen-VARI Program for Canine Health and Performance. “By allowing us to work with him to get samples, he’s realizing the potential of his effort to actually go in the direction of science, with tangible benefits and potential new treatments for these dogs.” “Samples will be collected by the CHCC for a nationwide project involving more than 30 scientific investigators at nearly a dozen institutions, which plan to use dog DNA to not only discover the causes of cancer in dogs, but in people, too.” Without harming any dogs, researchers – including those at the National Cancer Institute – will analyze the DNA, mostly from doggy drool obtained by simply swabbing the inside of dogs’ cheeks.”So, Luke’s work is only beginning. Luke also plans on writing on a book on his experience on this historic walk for canine cancer.
Congratulations, Luke, Hudson and Murphy! You’ve done Malcolm proud, Luke and all of us who have been affected by our own beloved pets who have or have had cancer.
You can catch Luke on the news in Boston here.
Here are a few photos I took from the Puppy Up! Festival. Notice in the second picture the dog running for that frisbee! That dog was excellent! And in the last picture, take note of the dog on the woman’s back!