Janesville sports reporter dies of cancer

[Mira]

I knew John and he was a solid reporter and passionate about auto racing. He did an amazing job with his column about battling cancer. Don't know if I would have had the courage to write it. Below is a link to his final column.

http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/fighting-words-one-mans-battle-against-cancer/2009/oct/01/waning-days-21-month-battle/#

 

[Songbird]

Condolences to the McPoland family.

 

[sportsguydave]

Condolences to the McPoland family also. I lived in Janesville for years and my kids still live there, so I read the Gazette regularly. Always enjoyed his columns.

It's always been amazing to me (not in a good way, either) how fast the end can come with cancer. My fiancee Melody was diagnosed May 6, 2004 and died six weeks later. Neither of us had any idea just how bad it was right up until the end. She went to the hospital with stomach cramps on a Saturday night and was gone 48 hours later.

RIP, John. What an inspirational column. And that lede ... what a way to grab the reader's attention.

Some day, we'll beat this ****ing disease and send it to the scrap heap of history. And then we'll never have to read a posting like this again.

Some day.

 

[imjustagirl]

Sounds like he put up a hell of a fight and touched a lot of lives. Really the best any of us can ask for.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Don't know him, but RIP anyways.

Tremendous column, and the comments after it are a nice read too.

 

[JBHawkEye]

Condolences to the McPoland family also. I lived in Janesville for years and my kids still live there, so I read the Gazette regularly. Always enjoyed his columns.

It's always been amazing to me (not in a good way, either) how fast the end can come with cancer. My fiancee Melody was diagnosed May 6, 2004 and died six weeks later. Neither of us had any idea just how bad it was right up until the end. She went to the hospital with stomach cramps on a Saturday night and was gone 48 hours later.

RIP, John. What an inspirational column. And that lede ... what a way to grab the reader's attention.

Some day, we'll beat this ****ing disease and send it to the scrap heap of history. And then we'll never have to read a posting like this again.

Some day.

Agreed. I hope that day comes soon. I've known too many people who have had to go through this.

I knew John from when he worked at a paper nearby here. Always a good guy. This is sad to read this.

 

[Double J]

A very nice column. If you're going to write your own epitaph, it'd be tough to top that one.

RIP, John, and very best wishes to your family and friends.

 

[sportsguydave]

Cancer sucks. That is all.

 

[Colton]

Sincere condolences to the McPoland family.

What a courageous, heartfelt final column. And as Baron said, the comments are special

RIP, Mr. McPoland