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Scott Brown Memorial Seeds of Hope Award
2010 Speaker
Rob Ballister
 Participants at this year's Voices for Hope event will be treated to the wit
and banter of God Does Have a Sense of Humor award-winning author Rob Ballister, a survivor of testicular cancer, a graduate
of the U.S. Naval Academy, and a career naval officer. The Washington, DC-based
author uses the experiences of a lifetime - including his cancer diagnosis at
the age of 22 - to relay to readers some of the secrets of his survival, success
and, often, just plain fun.
Join us Thursday, May 13, for a night of laughter, camaraderie and good cheer.
All proceeds will benefit H.O.P.E., a local non-profit that helps cancer patients
and their families deal with the devastation of a cancer diagnosis, get through
the necessary treatment options and balance life demands.
A native of Martinsville, NJ, Rob graduated the United States Naval Academy in
1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He holds a Master's
of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland, is a registered
professional engineer in the state of Maryland and a member of the Society of
American Military Engineers. He has done extensive work with community youth as
a little league coach, teacher and mentor, and is married. He and his wife have
one child.
God Does Have a Sense of Humor is the culmination of more than 10 years of writing and re-writing of Rob's
life experiences, including his military career and his bout with cancer. We're
not sure how much is truth, how much is fiction, and how much falls in between.
Rob is the recipient of the 2007 Military Writers' Society of America Gold Medal
for Humor and the 2009 MWSA President's Award.
We spoke with Rob recently about his upcoming outreach. We thought you'd enjoy
the feedback.
Q: How would you describe your presentation/style?
A: Upbeat, humorous, honest, with a positive attitude and a focus on helping
others.
Q: How has your cancer diagnosis affected/changed your life? In what ways?
A: My perspective has changed. I definitely do not sweat little things anymore,
because I've experienced big bad things. Further, I no longer only strive for
future successes, because I now know that we need to have a little fun in the
here and now, and that our future may not come. Finally, it has made me more likely
to reach out to those battling cancer and other medical issues.
Q: What words of wisdom would you offer to those with cancer?
A: Attitude is everything. It's OK to be scared, because without fear there is
no courage. But it's what you do with that fear that will make you stronger. Cancer
can hurt your body, but it can only hurt your mind and spirit if you let it. And
make sure you talk to someone; anyone. You shouldn't try to deal with this alone.
Q: What do you most remember about news of cancer, treatment, recovery?
A: Having to be strong in the doctor's office for my dad. I wanted to go to pieces,
but I knew if I did, he would fall apart too, and I felt I couldn't let that happen.
Q: What spurred the idea for your book?
A: I always enjoyed writing and making people laugh (my high school teachers
will attest to that!). I kept my completed stories in a binder on my coffee table.
People liked them and one of them put in my head this crazy idea that I should
work towards publication.
Q: Are you working on another?
A: Two actually. But as a full-time military officer and father, time is not
something I have a lot of. It will be several years before I can publish again.
Q: Any last words?
A: I think cancer survivors have an obligation to reach back and help others
get where the survivors are. Thank you for the opportunity to help me with that
obligation by giving me the chance to speak.
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