Baysider helping others fight cancer

When Bayside resident Neil Diamond was 41 years old, he was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer and told that he only had two years to live. However, he has now been cancer free for three years and works to help others through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma came in January of 2004. Diamond had gone to the doctor after being told by others that he didn't look well and because of feeling tired and having an ashy skin color.
&#8220It happened so fast and it was the furthest thing from my mind that that would be the diagnosis for me because I was always extremely healthy,” said Diamond, who lives in Bayside with wife Barbara and children Jaime, 11, and Justin, 7.
Diamond was not willing to accept a diagnosis of only having two years to live with no chance of survival. After hearing the news and leaving the hospital, with the support of his family and friends, Diamond did research and visited the country's top doctors &#8220until we found a person that gave hope.” That doctor was at Sloan Kettering.
The treatment plan for Diamond was that he would undergo six months of chemotherapy and steroids before having a stem cell transplant. It ended up only taking two months because of how well he responded to it. The cancer also had a negative effect on Diamond's kidney, meaning he had to be on dialysis while going through treatments and eventually needed a transplant.
The end of June marked three years that Diamond has been cancer free. August will be the two year anniversary of receiving his kidney transplant.
&#8220Basically I have my life back,” Diamond said. &#8220I feel great; I'm back at work.”
Diamond no longer has to go through treatments or take medication. He said he only has to have a doctor's check-up once a year.
Diamond said that his successful recovery can be attributed to the treatments and medicines that are available due to the work of people who can before him, having a positive attitude and have strong religious or spiritual feelings.
&#8220I never felt sorry for myself,” Diamond said. &#8220I trained like you would train an athlete for an event. I trained my mind to fight the fight and not allow this to beat me.”
This year also marks the third year that Diamond has teamed up with his children's school, P.S. 169, to participate in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk. Last year, walking under the team name &#8220P.S. 169 in Honor of Neil,” they raised $10,000.
&#8220We reached out to them to join us and because it's a tight-knit community they supported me,” Diamond said. &#8220It's been great. It's been a good thing for the kids to learn.”
Diamond said that being involved in such activities is just part of him doing what he can do to help.
&#8220I'm trying to make the world a better place and leave it a better place for my children,” said Diamond.
The Light the Night Walk in Queens this year will take place on Saturday, October 13 in Forest Park. For more information, visit www.lightthenight.org.