As a cancer survivor, Pete Daly shares his wisdom with student advocates as they learn the skills to support patients facing acute and chronic illnesses. In September 2002 he faced Advanced Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Through the help of the center, he built his medical and support teams, entered a long lasting clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute (NIH/NCI), and learned to proactively address his health care. Not long after his diagnosis and receiving “as his life depended upon it” direction from former Director Meg Gaines, Pete began collaborating with the Center as a way to give back and continue to benefit from all that health advocacy offers patients and survivors.
In his cancer journey, Pete has faced multiple recurrences, each time leaning upon his local medical team at the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, the clinical researchers at NIH/NCI, and the support of the Center, friends and family. Pete and his wife, Nancy, have two adult children, Sam and Mary, and family is central to his wellbeing. Prior to his involvement with CPP, Pete worked for 28 years as manager of a local private engineering practice and as an engineering consultant. Currently Pete serves as a neighborhood school crossing guard not far from campus.