BOSTON -- Two local men, still embroiled in their own personal struggles against brain cancer, are already raising thousands of dollars to further cancer research.

Kevin Bradley, 54, of Framingham, was diagnosed more than five years ago and had surgery soon after.

"They got most of it, but it's a stage 4 aggressive tumor so you can't get it all," Bradley said.

An experimental drug therapy that he's been on for three years has prevented his cancer from growing.

Tom DesFosses, 68, of Peabody, has also fought a similar battle since 2003.

"My last treatment was four months ago," said DesFosses.

Both men say surviving cancer isn't enough. They're standing up to it -- raising money for research in their own ways so other people won't have to know the struggles they do.

Bradley said he started walking in the Jimmy Fund Walk five years ago, though admittedly, at first it was, "Because my doctor told me to get my butt out there and do it," he said. "We just decided to do it, it's for a good cause."

This year's walk is Sunday. Bradley said about a dozen friends and family members will join him for fundraising walks of varying lengths along the official Boston marathon route.

This year, walkers are hoping to collectively raise $6.5 million for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

DesFosses will be busy bicycling through the scenic north shore of Massachusetts this weekend. In the midst of his cancer treatment 3 years ago, he coordinated a fundraising ride to benefit Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

"I got healthy enough that I wanted to start riding again, and at the same time I realized how lucky I was. It was time to give something back. Cancer does that do you. So I decided that one of the things I did well was ride a bike, so I'd ride a bike for cancer research," DesFosses said.

"That money will advance brain tumor research," said Dr. Eric Wong, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "I'm very grateful to Tom for his drive and his ability to raise this research money."

DesFosses said he has been surprised by his experience.

"I look back at my cancer, and I think of the marvelous people I've met by having cancer. People like me have to give back," he said.

Bradley said his efforts to raise money for research are the least he can do. He's grateful and said he feels lucky that he's survived five years.

"All you have to do is go in and see some of these kids in there and it's all worth it. I go in [for treatment] and I feel pretty decent."