In 2003 former NFL player and current ESPN broadcaster Merril Hoge was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He's recently written a book entitled 'Find A Way', that chronicles his story, providing inspiration on how to navigate difficult times.

Merril is kindly donating $1 of every book sale to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Here's a Q and A we recently sent to him:

Merril, on your wikipedia page it notes that you were diagnosed on Valentine's Day? How did that come about?
February 14 my doctor called to confirm what they had suspected.  I had cancer and it was Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  I had a 2 to 3 pound tumor the size of a small football behind my stomach around my lower back. 

Was your diagnosis with non-Hodgkin lymphoma the inspiration behind 'Find A Way'?
I have been using Find A Way as a life philosophy since I was 12, when I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's I was devastated, but it was my daughter that challenged me to find a way and that was the inspiration I need to do what that philosophy has helped me do so many times.  Put all my energy into what I wanted to have happen like living, not direct my energies towards things I was afraid of happening!!

How did The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) help you when you were newly diagnosed?
Once I had a few days to calm down I was told to look up LLS.org and it was there that I started to find hope.  I read about so many people still living after the battle that it energized me and I had a perfect source to give me direction.

Were you aware of LLS prior to that time?
I know I had probably heard about LLS before my diagnoses but I have to admit one one of my first doctors visits as we were trying to figure out what it was, one doctor said after looking as some scans of mine, "it looks like Lymphoma" and I said what is that and he said a kind of cancer!  Yes I was floored.

How do you feel about the importance of funding cancer research?
Without Funding, there is no research without research there is no treatments or Cures and without all of that I'm not hear today!!! We are getting closer and we will find a way to find a cure for all cancers on day!

What advise would you give others who find themselves diagnosed with cancer? And do you share that in 'Find A Way'?
I talked candidly about my battle with cancer, its one of the many challenges my life has been filled with.  One thing I always mention to people when they get a hold of me after being diagnosed with cancer is, don't let this dictate to you, you dictate to it.  So find out all about your disease and the treatment options, then focus on the result you want and put your energies into that.  Continue to live, do the things you are use to doing and make sure you do not stop doing things you can just because you have a treatment at times! I also try to share with them the improvement in the treatments that are available like the targeted Rituxan I had during my treatment that was not a free radical therapy but one that just attacked the cancer and not the rest of my body.

Thank you for all of your support, Merril! We wish you continued success and good health!