A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS 

 

Alex Perkic (1974 -2007)

When I read the news in an e-mail that Alex had died, it hit me like a sledgehammer – so great was the impact that this fine young man had on me, during the short time I have known him. It is even more remarkable when you consider that we never actually met. He was a member of the Chondrosarcoma Support Group – and although we regularly e-mailed each other via the site and sometimes offline – we had a “virtual” friendship.

Alex had a remarkable personality – it shone through the very words he typed on the chondrosarcoma support group site. You didn’t need to meet him to know that you were in the presence of a man of integrity – a man who was willing and able to admit he was less than perfect (I listened to the recording of his church sermon) – a man who trusted unequivocally in God – and knew with an absolute certainty that he was part of God’s plan; a man who loved and adored his Mom and family, and his beautiful wife and children, and would have laid his life down for any one of them, had it ever become necessary. You didn’t need to sit eyeball to eyeball with Alex to see the hard earned pride he had for his wonderful career in television, and to hear the sheer joy he experienced when he achieved his dream job – because, like I said, it shone out of the page he typed on, it shone from his very being.

Oh Alex, you will be missed by many - far closer and greater than me. I fear for their pain, because as I write through my tears, feeling so miserable at your loss, I can only glimpse at their grief. Thank you for touching my life. I will never forget you. You are a man for all seasons.

To view the abc television news report on Alex follow this link.

Alex’s Chondrosarcoma history:

Right pelvic CS 1996-2002 x 3; hemi-pelvectomy with flail hip

Chemo and radiation 2002

Chemo and radiation 2006

Right humerus CS 2006 x 1; surgery 8/22/06

Left lung mets surgery December 20, 2006,

Denied for trial MD Anderson, 3/16/07

Other mets followed – died June 2007

Sincere condolances to Alex’s family and friends. “To live in the hearts of those you love is not to die”

To pay your respects to Alex or his family, or to read more about his life, visit his memorial site.

If you are touched by Alex’s story you might like to consider a donation to raise awareness of Chondrosarcoma, and fund research for a cure. Sponsor my dear friend Elizabeth’s Team Sarcoma effort here , on the left of the screen you will see the sponsorship button. Her blog is wonderful too. If you need support or information about Chondrosarcoma visit the support website.

PS: I’m adding this link on the 20th April 2008 – when by chance I came across Alex’s brother’s website and read this lovely tribute to Alex: http://zeldavalley.net/about/remembering-a-brother/