We all understand the journey the Vietnam Veterans went on during their time in the country all those years ago, but now this group of Baby Boomers are in their 70s and unfortunately, many of them have found themselves on a new battle field fighting cancer – and in many cases, it is prostate cancer.

Although not all prostate cancer in Vietnam Veterans can be tied to the use of Agent Orange, (a defoliant that was used to destroy the deep foliage, enabling the foot soldiers of the infantry to see the enemy moving through the thick jungles) a lot of prostate cancer cases are tied to the chemical.

Yesterday, we spent the day at the Ann Arbor, Michigan VA Hospital following Darrel Lukas, a Vietnam Army veteran who volunteered in 1968 hoping for a desk job – only to find himself in the country in some of the most hostile environments. During this time, he watched Agent Orange being used in the jungles he would be walking in on several occasions. Now Darrel is 70 and has late stage cancer that started with his prostate. His regular visits to the VA for chemo treatments are carefully monitored by Dr. Megan Caram. “Doc told me in the beginning of the year when I asked her of my time, ‘I can’t be sure, but. I’m pretty sure you’ll be with us at Christmas’”, Darrel said. With the holidays right around the corner, Darrel will for sure be with us thanks to the exceptional care he receives at the VA Hospital.

Public Affairs Officer, Brian Hayes explained how proud the teams are at the VA to take care of the men and women who have chosen to put on a uniform for our country. “We are in a unique location because we have this incredible team of world-renowned doctors at our doorstep at the University of Michigan. It is this A Team of medical professionals who are taking care of our true life heroes.”