Being told you have cancer is never easy for anyone, but being told you have cancer when you have four- and six-year-old daughters at home is difficult at best. That’s what happened to Graham Daly when he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the age of 40.

Graham and his wife, Lisa, opted not to tell Mia and Elizabeth about his cancer, explaining instead that “Daddy has a sick tummy.” According to Lisa, the children “had a great time visiting Graham in the hospital, despite the fact that they couldn’t jump on his bed.” Nevertheless, the surgery, chemotherapy and radiation that took place over the course of a year was still grueling for the family.

One thing that eased the burden for both Graham and Lisa was the fact that the NSMC Cancer Center in Peabody was so close to their home in Lynnfield. “We could not have imagined going into Boston for radiation and chemotherapy treatment,” he said. But Graham was quick to point out that proximity was just part of the story. “We were impressed with the amount of effort that went into making us feel comfortable. I was always left with a sense of being well cared for,” he said with a smile. “Participating in the NSMC Cancer WALK is my family’s way of giving thanks to those who cared for me.”