While most men his age were pondering their first job, 23-year-old Rod Quiros weighed a decision that would have far greater impact on his livelihood -- whether to enroll in a cancer clinical trial to treat his advanced lymphoma.

Rod took part in the clinical trial and 13 years later he is a healthy father of two little girls who unequivocally says, “Participating in cancer research is the best decision I’ve made in my life.”

By the time Rod’s cancer was diagnosed, the lymphoma had created a large tumor in his entire rectal wall. His doctors were concerned that the traditional therapy for his disease would not be successful, and told him about a new treatment that had shown promising results in patients already in the clinical trial. He decided to go for it.

Rod started seeing results from the very first treatment. His doctor was so pleased that he invited interns to join him during Rod’s follow up tests. “If I hadn’t participated in that trial, I don’t know if I would be here today,” he says.

As Rod progressed through the rounds of chemotherapy his state of mind improved. He went from fearing certain death to the possibility of living a few more years to the mindset that he would fight to survive. He also went out and bought a shiny red mountain bike, setting new goals on distance and time for each ride he planned. The buzz of the chain and hum of the tires helped Rod forget about his disease and look forward to the future.

Rod’s decision to participate in a clinical trial helped him to survive and it’s a decision he hopes will make a difference for his daughters, whom he fears may have inherited a higher risk for cancer. “I would like to think that I have somehow contributed to the advancement of a cure and should my fears ever materialize, the treatment may be as effective and painless as possible,” he says.

By riding in the Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope™, Rod wants to show people the tremendous contribution research makes to cancer treatment.