Rick , 46, likes to be in control—on the basketball court, in his business, of his life. But despite playing men’s league basketball twice a week for more than 20 years and living a relatively healthy lifestyle, the one thing Rick couldn’t control was the cancer that took over four years ago.

What seemed like pneumonia to him was later diagnosed as acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a progressive, malignant disease characterized by large numbers of immature white blood cells that resemble lymphoblasts. These cells can be found in the blood, the bone marrow, the lymph nodes, the spleen, and other organs. ALL is responsible for 80 percent of acute leukemias in children and 20 percent of adult leukemias.

Needing a blood and marrow transplant (BMT) to live, Rick began searching the nation for the best treatment facility. An oncologist friend ended his search, telling him: “You’re in the best place possible to be treated for ALL,” referring to Blood and Marrow Transplant Services at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

Rick received an unrelated donor BMT in 2000 at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. Though he couldn’t control the disease, Rick felt he could control his attitude. “I never considered I was going to die,” he says. “Everyday, I thought about how I was going to be back on the basketball court.” He was also anxious to returning home to his wife and three children as soon as possible.

He researched the disease. “I wanted to know all I could about the people who were diagnosed with ALL and survived,” he says. During his hospital stay, he established a routine that included 30 minutes a day on an exercise bicycle moved into his room.

“Even when I was too weak to pedal the bike, I sat on it for 30 minutes to maintain a routine. It was very important to me,” he says.

Rick’s positive attitude was also shared by hospital staff “who are the most wonderful people,” he says. “You couldn’t imagine people treating you as well as they did me.”

He was also impressed by the support of his friends and family who pulled together to support Rick, his wife and children during his treatment. “What really wakes you up is when you find out how well the community supports you. It opens your eyes and makes you want to give back more.”

After making a full recovery, Rick returned to playing basketball twice a week with a new appreciation for his health. “I feel good every day,” he says. “Most importantly, the reason I am alive is because of the care and prayers from my wife and family.

“The odds were not great that I’d be here today. But if the odds were a million to one, I’d be the one.”