Si Conners I was born in Texas of African-American parents. My mother had breast cancer; otherwise there was no history of cancer in my family.
0-19 years I was willing, anxious student, hard working and eager to please. I was the last of four children and, early on, developed the skill s of getting along with others and negotiation for what I want. I was 12 when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I helped with her care when she came home from the hospital. My older sister also had sickle cell disease. Because I helped take care of her, I was familiar with the health care system in my community and understood how to obtain medical advice when I needed it.	20-39 years I went the university of Houston to earn my bachelor’s degree in history, and then went on to study law. After I passed the bar, I worked as an advocate for the NAACP. My wife and I had no children, but I was active in the church youth group and coached Little League.
40-59 years My first serious health problem was diagnosed as diabetes at age 48. Initially, it was hard to control, and I was an internist on a regular basis. Even after the diabetes was controlled with insulin, there as some concern about my kidney function, so I continued regular check-ups.	60+ years Despite my regular check-ups for diabetes and high blood pressure (I had developed this by age 65), I had not undergone cancer screening and was beginning to think I should. When the community offered free screening, I took advantage of the opportunity and, at age 70, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is believed to grow slowly, and because of my age, I did not want to undergo surgery or radiation, so I chose to be treated only with hormones. Si died at age 73 from diabetes. Many of the families whose children he had coached in Little League came to his funeral. ·