Wellbeing
At only 58 years-old, Derric DesMarteau lost his three-year battle to prostate cancer in August 2009. On Friday, November 12, 2010, friends, family and the Hooked on Driving (HOD) community will be racing for a cure in Derric’s memory at Derric’s Day at Thunderhill, benefiting Athletes for a Cure.
“Derric was the extreme example of living life to the fullest and he involved himself with anything, and everything, that he could,” shared Brynne Bradbrook, Derric’s sister. “Derric valued each moment of life and left two wonderful legacies – his sons, Chad and Sean. Driving was one of his passions and this event will give those close to Derric a chance to celebrate one of his most favorite passions in life.”
As an adrenaline junky, Derric enjoyed driving fast and riding his go-kart, Harley Davidson motorcycle and Porsche. Derric and his brother Rick were avid go-kart racers on a local track in the Bay Area of California, where Derric was first introduced to Hooked on Driving. HOD is a high performance driving experience, held on a closed road course with managed passing rules. Many participants bring their own sporting cars and are allowed to drive them on the course in conjunction with focused instruction and monitoring, and are grouped by ability and experience.
Derric’s Day at Thunderhill has a fundraising goal of $30,000 ($100.00 per registered participant will be donated to AFAC, along with $100.00 matching gift from the Porsche Club) and will feature a silent auction, live action with experience prizes and the opportunity to drive their own exotic cars, or ride with a professional driver, on the track – with all proceeds benefiting AFAC.
During the 58 years of his life, Derric met and inspired many, and because of this, his family believes that a $30,000 fundraising goal is extremely doable. Derric attended UCLA where he played on the Junior Varsity basketball team. After deciding to attend a dentistry program, Derric quit playing basketball and focused on his future career. After graduating from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco with full honors, Derric went on to run a very successful private practice in Piedmont, California. He was the team dentist for the Oakland Raiders and the Golden State Warriors. Derric also spoke at many dental conventions and appeared with Dr. Phil in Las Vegas.
With each email that is sent out in regards to Derric, there is an outpouring of love and support.
“It is really amazing to see the response from people when talking about Derric. Their support is benefiting a cause our family truly believe in and will bring us one step closer to a cure,” Brynne said. We chose Athletes for a Cure and the Prostate Cancer Foundation as the beneficiary of this event because of the valuable information our family received from them during Derric’s battle with prostate cancer. While Derric fought for his life, our family tried not to put any extra stress on him and utilized PCF’s website and resources to provide the information we needed to move forward and make informed decisions.”
Though this event will celebrate Derric’s life, a very important message will also be shared with attendees – early detection. Though he had his annual DRE exam, Derric never followed-through with a PSA test and by the time he did, it was too late. “Derric didn’t have to die, and if we can just get men to understand that early detection is vital, then our event will be a success,” Brynne shared. “Derric taught us not to look back, but to look forward. Derric’s Day at Thunderhill will be filled with excitement and hope, not sorrow, because that is the kind of man he was.”
“Derric was the extreme example of living life to the fullest and he involved himself with anything, and everything, that he could,” shared Brynne Bradbrook, Derric’s sister. “Derric valued each moment of life and left two wonderful legacies – his sons, Chad and Sean. Driving was one of his passions and this event will give those close to Derric a chance to celebrate one of his most favorite passions in life.”
As an adrenaline junky, Derric enjoyed driving fast and riding his go-kart, Harley Davidson motorcycle and Porsche. Derric and his brother Rick were avid go-kart racers on a local track in the Bay Area of California, where Derric was first introduced to Hooked on Driving. HOD is a high performance driving experience, held on a closed road course with managed passing rules. Many participants bring their own sporting cars and are allowed to drive them on the course in conjunction with focused instruction and monitoring, and are grouped by ability and experience.
Derric’s Day at Thunderhill has a fundraising goal of $30,000 ($100.00 per registered participant will be donated to AFAC, along with $100.00 matching gift from the Porsche Club) and will feature a silent auction, live action with experience prizes and the opportunity to drive their own exotic cars, or ride with a professional driver, on the track – with all proceeds benefiting AFAC.
During the 58 years of his life, Derric met and inspired many, and because of this, his family believes that a $30,000 fundraising goal is extremely doable. Derric attended UCLA where he played on the Junior Varsity basketball team. After deciding to attend a dentistry program, Derric quit playing basketball and focused on his future career. After graduating from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco with full honors, Derric went on to run a very successful private practice in Piedmont, California. He was the team dentist for the Oakland Raiders and the Golden State Warriors. Derric also spoke at many dental conventions and appeared with Dr. Phil in Las Vegas.
With each email that is sent out in regards to Derric, there is an outpouring of love and support.
“It is really amazing to see the response from people when talking about Derric. Their support is benefiting a cause our family truly believe in and will bring us one step closer to a cure,” Brynne said. We chose Athletes for a Cure and the Prostate Cancer Foundation as the beneficiary of this event because of the valuable information our family received from them during Derric’s battle with prostate cancer. While Derric fought for his life, our family tried not to put any extra stress on him and utilized PCF’s website and resources to provide the information we needed to move forward and make informed decisions.”
Though this event will celebrate Derric’s life, a very important message will also be shared with attendees – early detection. Though he had his annual DRE exam, Derric never followed-through with a PSA test and by the time he did, it was too late. “Derric didn’t have to die, and if we can just get men to understand that early detection is vital, then our event will be a success,” Brynne shared. “Derric taught us not to look back, but to look forward. Derric’s Day at Thunderhill will be filled with excitement and hope, not sorrow, because that is the kind of man he was.”