Cancer survivor to drive tractor across Iowa

Bob and Jane Husz

Cancer survivor Bob Husz is plowing ahead for a cure as he finalizes plans to drive his tractor along State Highway 92 to raise awareness and funding for cancer research.

The week-long 270-mile journey, which will begin Monday, Aug. 7 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is part of a grassroots campaign called the “Tractor Ride Against Cancer” (T.R.A.C.), an effort to support hematological malignancy (blood-related) cancer and solid tumor cancer research at UNMC.

In September of 2004, Husz, 52, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a malignant growth of cells in the lymph system. Husz started chemotherapy treatment immediately through UNMC. “I thought a heart attack or a stroke would get me,” Husz said. “I never thought I’d ever be diagnosed with cancer.”

Through his first month of chemotherapy, Bob’s wife, Jane Husz, found her husband emotionally down and suggested that he get involved in a task that would allow him to keep a positive goal in mind during his treatment. Bob bought a 1952 vintage Ford 8N tractor as a “fix-up” project.

Before and after: Husz restores a 1952 vintage Ford 8N tractor.

The old tractor, which is now in mint parade condition, became a symbol of Husz’s journey to becoming cancer free. “After a chemotherapy treatment, I would be sick for three days,” Husz said. “My wife kept pushing me to go out there and work on the tractor, so I would work on it little by little. It took me seven months to complete it.”

The American Cancer Society reports that nearly 565,000 men and women are estimated to die of cancer in 2006. There will be approximately 55,400 cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Thirteen percent of all patients treated for cancer at UNMC are Iowa residents.

“It’s wonderful that Bob wants to help other patients with lymphoma and other cancers,” said Julie Vose, M.D., section chief of hematology/oncology at UNMC. “The funds raised in this campaign will go specifically to clinical patient care and research.”

On May 29, Husz lost his father to lung cancer. He wants to encourage others who have tractors, and who have battled cancer or knows someone who has suffered from the diseases to join him on a town-to-town tractor caravan along State Highway 92 as he plows across Iowa for a cure.

The trip will be divided into stops where drivers can join Husz in support. Stops include Lake Manawa to Griswold, Griswold to Greenfield, Greenfield to Winterset, Winterset to Indianola, Indianola to Knoxville, Knoxville to Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa to Sigourney, Sigourney to Washington and Washington to Kilpeck Landing.

Those who are interested can contact Becky Husz at (712) 328-9659 or via e-mail at rhusz@aol.com for logistical information. Bob Husz will end his journey on Friday, Aug. 11, at Kilpeck Landing in Grandview, Iowa.

“I know that there are thousands who have been touched by cancer, so I’m inviting them to join me and help raise money toward finding a cure,” Husz said.

Husz will be meeting people along the way and handing out T.R.A.C. Fund for Cancer Research donation cards. The fund has been established at the University of Nebraska Foundation. For more information on T.R.A.C., or to make an online donation, log on to www.TractorRideAgainstCancer.com.

Husz hopes his tractor ride across Iowa will make a difference for generations to come. He plans to continue the journey every year, taking a different route across Iowa.

“I have four grandkids,” Husz said. “I hope they never have to go through what I did. I hope to raise funds that will help develop more answers for cancer.”