How Bob Marckini's Book Sparked a Father-Daughter Mission
Dale Clarke, a new BOB member from Las Vegas, NV, recently completed his proton therapy treatment at Loma Linda University Cancer Center. Although his journey began with a frightening diagnosis, it was deeply shaped by knowledge, empowerment, and one powerful resource: You Can Beat Prostate Cancer: And You Don’t Need Surgery To Do It.
For Dale, one message from the book stood above all others: “It’s your body—so if you get a serious diagnosis, you do the research. You make the decision. Don’t just blindly take someone else’s advice—not even your doctor’s,” Dale said.
Armed with that mindset, Dale told his urologist he wanted proton therapy. “If you do that, I won’t be your doctor anymore.” Dale didn’t flinch. “Bob Marckini’s book gave me confidence,” he said. “It took away all the unknowns—it covered everything that was going to happen, so there were no surprises."
Since his proton treatment ended, Dale has become an advocate for awareness. “I can’t go anywhere without asking men if they’ve had their PSA checked,” he said. “The sad part is most of them don’t even know what PSA is. Are you kidding me?!”
One of the most meaningful parts of Dale’s journey was the support of his daughter, Summer. A district attorney in Las Vegas, Summer wanted to understand every aspect of her dad’s diagnosis and treatment options. After reading the book herself—on the recommendation of her mom—she offered a powerful perspective: “I didn’t cry when Dad told me he had cancer,” she said. “I believe people go through things so they can help others. So, I told him, ‘God has a plan. Maybe you were diagnosed so we could spread the word and help others.’”
Summer started handing out copies of the book to friends, colleagues, and anyone connected to a new diagnosis. She sticks handwritten Post-it notes to the covers—each one a mini “elevator pitch” of why the book matters. “I give people the main points, yet also personalize each of my messages,” she said. “My notes are clear and compelling. I’m a trial attorney. I have someone’s attention for only so long before they tune me out.”
She even encouraged Dale to craft his own elevator pitch. Together, they share what they’ve learned with anyone who will listen.
Much like Bob did after his own diagnosis, Dale and Summer have turned a frightening chapter in their lives into a mission: to educate, encourage, and maybe even save lives.