February 21, 2006

On The Tragedies and Triumphs Of G. Ken Holman

Anyway ? Blog Archive ? Courage and Cancer

For those who don’t know, Ken has been a stalwart in the SGML/XML community for many years, taking part in various standards committees as well as being a well-regarded teacher and speaker. He’s had a bad run health-wise recently, culminating in a bout with prostate cancer (which now appears to be effectively cured, though some side-effects still remain). The details are at Awareness of Male Cancers – my personal stories; what may be startling is that even test results within the normal range can indicate cancer that needs to be treated. Here’s hoping that few people need to go through what Ken just has, but if you do, I hope you recover well and quickly.

Whether you realize it or not, if G. Ken Holman had not been a pioneering member of the SGML/XML community, continuing forward to develop, evangelize, and teach about these and related technologies, we would not be anywhere near where we are today in terms of the development and advancement of these technologies, as well as understanding how these technologies work, and how we can integrate them into each of our development lives.

For those unaware Ken has been diagnosed and won the battle with cancer, twice. Firstly, with Breast Cancer, and secondly, with Prostate Cancer. Both of these previous links gain you access to his personal thoughts, feelings, and overall experiences of both tragedies and both triumphs.

Ken, our lives would be lacking a much desired richness if it had not been for you, your work, your dedication, and your overall presence within our community. I am both happy and thankful to learn that the blessing of your presence within our personal lives and our community will be continuing forward for what I hope is many, *MANY* years to come. You mean a lot of wonderful things to a lot of wonderful people. Thank you.