Tomas Romo, right, is a cancer survivor thanks to a bone marrow transplant from sister Laura Lopez.

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

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Tomas Romo likes to say he is living proof that the American Cancer Society's research is paying off.

Romo, 31, is a survivor of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia after receiving a bone marrow transplant from his sister, Laura Lopez.

"One of the researchers who developed the bone marrow transplant procedure — Dr. Donnall Thomas — received funding from the American Cancer Society for seed research," Romo said. "You would be surprised at the magnitude of treatments developed because of the research money raised from events like the Climb to Conquer Cancer."

Romo, who was named the Honorary Adult Cancer Survivor for the 20th Annual Climb on Saturday, has multiple links to the American Cancer Society. His initial contact came after his 1998 diagnosis.

"I didn't know what leukemia was other than people died from it, and it was very traumatic for me and my family," he said. "We were just lost until my sisters went to the American Cancer Society to get information to educate us. They helped to put our minds at ease and helped us to know what questions to ask the doctors and provided information on treatment and other services."

Romo was so impressed that he accepted a job as an administrative coordinator at the ACS Cancer Prevention and Control Department in Phoenix while recovering from his bone marrow transplant. He enjoyed educating people on the risks of behaviors such as smoking, but later jumped at a chance to work directly with cancer patients as a client services manager in Tucson.

"It was a really nice experience. I could relate to them on a more personal level after my own experience with cancer," Romo said.

Though rewarding, the work also was emotionally draining, particularly after his young cousin Carlos Valencia was diagnosed with leukemia. As shocking as his own diagnosis had been, Romo said Carlos' was even more so, particularly since there had been no prior incidence of cancer in their family.

Romo formed Team Hope to commemorate Carlos, who succumbed to the disease in August 2004 after several citywide drives seeking a compatible bone marrow donor proved unsuccessful. He said that Carlos' amazing and inspirational outlook left a lasting influence on the community.

"Hope is the only word I can think of that best describes the impact he had on me. That was the only thing he never lost during his battle with leukemia," he said.

"He always had hope someone would be a match and even when bone marrow drives for him found donors for others, he never felt bad for himself. He was the first one who said, 'Yeah, that is great.' He was very selfless."

Romo set a $3,000 goal for Team Hope, which has enlisted 34 members.

Proceeds from the Climb fund advocacy, education and patient services as well as research.

The American Cancer Society has spent more than $2.5 billion on research in the past 60 years and is currently funding more than $1 million in research at the Arizona Cancer Center, according to Carolyn Smith, regional media relations and marketing manager of the American Cancer Society of Southern Arizona.