Eighteen months after the fight of his life, an advisor raises more money for a Leukemia cure

Lisa’s Note: When I first spoke with John Hyland in September 2010 he was undergoing a brutal regimen of chemotherapy for leukemia that had been diagnosed months earlier. Hyland had just received a community award from Invest In Others Charitable Foundation and InvestmentNews but was too sick to even attend the event. So when I got an e-mail from Hyland the other day and we chatted about his health and the growth of his business, I was relieved to hear that he was doing so well. Hyland prefaced our conversation by saying that he’d had a late night watching football and might not be at his best. But it was clear Hyland is so much healthier — his voice sounds stronger and he seems upbeat and enthusiastic. Hyland acknowledges it’s still difficult talking about those rough days but hopes that doing so will help raise money for research and ultimately find a cure for the disease.

In May 2010, John Hyland was confined to a hospital bed receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that gave him raging fevers and left him bedridden for weeks, unable to walk.

Now, 18 months later, the 45-year-old advisor with Morristown, N.J.-based Private Advisor Group is in training for an August 2012 Ironman race to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of New Jersey. Hyland is a member of 12-person team that includes an array of high-profile personalities including Guy Adami, an anchor with CNBC’s Fast Money; Leif Babin, a former Navy Seal; Ned Crotty, a professional lacrosse player and a Navy doctor; and former reality television star of The Bachelor, Dr. Andy Baldwin.

“We’ve got some really interesting people who have joined us to help raise money,” Hyland says. “It’s really neat to be part of this.”

Marathon man

And he should know: This will be Hyland’s ninth race — albeit the first full ironman that he’s raced in since he was taken ill. Ever since Hyland’s aunt died of leukemia in 1992, he has dedicated a significant portion of his time to fundraising for research, treatment and eventually a cure for leukemia and lymphoma, raising over $2 million.

Then, on April 27, 2010, Hyland was diagnosed with the same kind of leukemia that killed his aunt.

Within 48 hours of his diagnosis, he was hospitalized for a month of intense chemotherapy.

“It was so raw and so real,” Hyland says about those difficult days. “I had a hard time talking about the cancer and the treatment. It was very difficult.”

John Hyland: It was so raw
and real.

Back on track

But that didn’t stop him from fundraising from his hospital bed, sending e-mails and establishing his own website promoting the annual fall Light the Night Walk in Morristown, N.J., a fundraiser which brought in about $400,000 last year.

By June 1, 2010, Hyland was considered in remission but he still required further treatment in the autumn. By January 2011, he finally began to feel like his old self and by summer, Hyland felt good enough to begin exercising again — running, biking and swimming. Hyland started out slowly but before long he had completed a half Ironman this summer, which consists of swimming, running and biking.

Pitched battle

Hyland’s business partner of nearly 14 years, Patrick Sullivan, says despite his battle with leukemia Hyland was always behind the scenes helping to engineer the firm’s growth. In fact, Sullivan gives Hyland the credit for pushing to establish the firm’s hybrid RIA — Private Advisor Group — which was rolled out this year. Previously the firm, established in 1997, had operated as Morristown [N.J.] Financial Group. This year, the group is expected to surpass $50 million in revenue. See: LPL Financial wins more breakaway brokers by sacrificing a revenue stream.

Sullivan says Hyland pushed for the deal and also came up with the name of the newly created group. Other advisors on staff worked with Hyland’s clients but he and Sullivan kept in touch frequently throughout Hyland’s battle with leukemia.

“John’s always a very positive person; he tries to do stuff for other people,” Sullivan says. “Even last year when he was going through all of this, he was still getting donations and getting people to give blood. When he came back, it was like he hadn’t missed a beat.”

Two-year all clear

Hyland is mindful that while he’s been in remission for 18 months and his prognosis is good, the leukemia could come back.

Stacey Boman, executive director of the
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and John
Kellenyi, the current president of the
board of LLS.

This illness has a tendency to come back and the first two years are the most vital. Patients who make it past two years in remission have a much higher likelihood of survival.

“The 12-to-18-month period is always crucial and I’ve passed that hump,” Hyland says. “But there are still six more months of egg shells.”

His treatment center is across the street from his office and Hyland goes there at least once every two weeks to get the all clear on his blood results.

“If I’m not feeling well then I’m scared. By and large, it’s routine and in 15 minutes I’ve got my results and I’m on my way.”

The appointment Hyland is really looking forward to is the one in which he will be told he’s still cancer free on June 1, 2012 after two full years of being in remission.

“On June 1 of next year, I’m going to have a really big party,” Hyland says.

For more information: www.iron-team.com

Up next, RIABiz will delve into how Hyland’s business has grown in the past year grabbing advisors who don’t want the hassle of compliance issues.