In November I received the news that shook me to my core. An amazing friend from work shared these words “my cancer can`t be cured. At most I have 18 to 24 months left to live.” Less than 1% of Canadians will ever run a full marathon, in 2023 only 0.02% will. I decided to run a full marathon and dedicate the training and completion to my friend Jason Bowser. For those who have run a Marathon they know they are anything but glamorous, the training for the race and the race itself seem to bring out the worst in ones' body. I picked Georgina Spring Fling. Today`s run had the wheels basically fall off, and it seemed more challenging than normal. I seemed to have caught a cold, both legs had cramping, and a new symptom for a race I had nausea starting at the 14 km mark. People I know who have done chemo have told me it is the worst thing they have ever experienced, they would not wish it on their worst enemy. Jason has shared his journey with cancer on social media. He has completed 11 rounds of chemo. He has two weeks to his next scan, his words after his recent bout “Thanks to everyone for helping me stay strong through this.” Jason has been an inspiration throughout his journey, and I can`t help but think of how in the future his attitude of positivity, and not giving up will help others in their struggles with cancer. But I refuse to stop there as I`m a stubborn and selfish person who realizes that the world is short of caring, amazing people and I want to have Jason around many years and not just be a feel-good story. Every training run for this marathon I have dedicated to Jason. I have uttered a short prayer every run “Lord heal Jason.” Jason was always into the horror movies; he would wear a mask to work every Halloween. Early on in his cancer process I thought of how the main character in these movies always come back no matter what. Facts I looked up about the character Jason from the movie Friday the 13th “Jason is immortal and can never be truly defeated. Jason`s body will regenerate any lost or damaged tissue at an accelerated rate. Laboring across the finish line my work is complete. Race Director Sandie Orlando congratulates me. My last "Lord heal Jason" prayer."
