Brock Day March 30, 2002

by beryl nitrate

Saturday, March 30, was Brock Day at Downtown Harley-Davidson in Seattle. Brock Wheaton, famous Seattle Cossack, skin diver, family man, rock musician, and former Service Manager, has a rare form of renal cell cancer (that's kidney cancer), and his buddies at Downtown Harley decided to help him out a bit with a benefit auction and fashion show. The benefit raised $30,000 towards Brock's mounting expenses.

"I didn't know so many people knew me," said Brock. "I am just amazed that so many care."

After all that the Seattle Cossacks do to raise money and awareness for so many organizations, it was right that the community gave back when asked. The Seattle Cossacks Motorcycle Stunt Drill Team has been performing since the 1930s, and Brock has been a member for over 15 years. And he has been through a lot in the past couple of years.

In June 2000, Brock's doctors removed an orange-sized tumor from his right kidney. With a 12-inch plus incision, it takes a while to get your strength back for balancing and doing head stands on a motorcycle. Even so, Brock performed several times with the Seattle Cossacks in 2000 and 2001.

Unfortunately the cancer was growing. And it's one of those rare cancers that don't respond to chemo or radiation. Brock tried everything his doctors suggested, until he reached a point where the cancer had spread to several places, including his lungs and liver. His next step was to try a transplant of the stem cells that make his blood. On February 14th, Brock and his brother Mark had surgery.

Stem cell transplants are expensive, and Brock is out of work while undergoing treatment. Insurance is covering quite a bit, but not everything. That's where his buddy John Annable stepped in to help out. John got the idea of holding a benefit to help Brock with the medical bills. And by the time the day arrived, it turned into quite a gig. About 2000 people showed up to wish Brock health and to bid on the items in the auction.

People donated just about everything to the auction: a Mike Holmgren-signed football, Seattle Sonics tickets, Seattle Thunderbirds tickets, saddlebags, tanks, pillows, quilts, beanie-babies, a $1200 custom paint job, a small boat, photos of Seattle, photos of the Cossacks, and much more. Dick Baker won the mini-bike raffle. Russ Thom won the boat raffle.

And there was plenty to do while waiting for the auction to start. Brock's daughter Nicole made her stage debut in the Fashion Show, along with several other children and well-dressed biker dogs. The Seattle Cossacks gave another of their fine performances at the motel across the street while Brock watched.

Members of Brock's former rock band, now called The Rocking Brocks, played 2 sets for the crowd. Guitarist Rich Riggins hadn't seen Brock in 25 years. Just seeing Brock was the "greatest reward of it all."

A few people took advantage of the Puget Sound Blood Center display. Medical staff were there to answer questions on marrow and stem cell typing, and to take blood samples. Bill Dewey, a photographer who stopped by to donate to the auction, decided to join the list of available donors. For $25, (instead of the usual $75), they took a sample of Bill's blood for DNA testing. His name will be added to a database, and maybe someday another person will have chance at fighting back against cancer. "The worst part was the paperwork," according to Bill.

Through all of this, Dinah has been at Brock's side-sharing each decision, hauling him in for tests and treatments when he was too exhausted to remember anything. The tremendous support of his family and friends has really helped.

HOG, Ladies of Harley, Downtown Harley-Davidson, and the Seattle Cossacks all pitched in to make Brock day a success. I wonder who arranged the beautiful weather for them?

Brock's Cancer Story:

In June 2000, Brock's doctors discovered an orange-sized tumor in his kidney. After surgery to remove his kidney, there was hope that the cancer had been contained. In Fall 2000, Brock's check-up showed a spot in his lungs. A painful biopsy (and a case of pneumonia) revealed that the spot was a continuation of the renal cell cancer.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy have no affect on renal cell cancer. That 's why Brock never lost his hair. But he has dealt with an extremely weakened immune system, painful surgeries, and drug side-effects. In 2001, Brock participated in clinical trials of new treatments for kidney cancer (including IL-2) through Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. "The people are so helpful, and they have a great view of Lake Union."

The spots were not growing, but they were not shrinking, either. Brock continued to work, go to school, to perform with the Cossacks, and to dive throughout spring and summer 2001. He decided to spend the summer enjoying life and to see what new clinical trials might be open in the fall.

At his August 2001 check up, Brock learned that the cancer had spread again. In November, he tried another experimental treatment (ABX-EGF) for 8 weeks. When follow ups showed no improvement, Brock and his wife Dinah decided to try a stem cell transplant.

A stem cell transplant is a type of bone marrow transplant. The stem cells make new blood cells in your body. Since Brock's own immune system was not fighting the cancer, the idea was to replace Brock's cells with his brother' s stem cells, which would grow new blood cells for Brock. The new cells should recognize the cancer as a bad thing and attack it. And so far, Brock is doing great. At his day 28 check-up, his blood was 80 to 90% Mark's blood, and his bone marrow was 60% Mark's; just where the doctor expected it to be. The next check will be on day 56.