My parents always stressed participation and service and encouraged me to seek opportunities to do that. But, perhaps one of the most significant specific experience occurred in 1992, when I was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and underwent three surgeries and chemotherapy. Two years later, on a routine CT-scan, doctors found a tumor in my abdomen related to the original cancer. In other words, I'm supposed to be dead. One of the "gifts"of cancer is that it freed me to think about doing other things like run for office. With regard to some of my priorities, I realize that I'm still here only because of early, effective and frequent healthcare. So that experience taught me not only how critically important healthcare is, but also how precious time can be -- and what a mistake it is not to move as quickly as you can, as often as you can.