25 years running #STWM – Chris Jurewicz

Our seventh winner for the STWM 25 Years Running contest is Chris Jurewicz. Chris promised himself in his 30s he would run a marathon every decade of his life. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer ten years ago, he’s ready to take on that challenge again.

The following is Chris Jurewicz’s STWM story:

In my early 30s, I ran my first marathon in Toronto. I completed the course in 4:01. In my 40s, I ran my second marathon in Richmond, Va. I finished that marathon in 4:01. I so wanted to break 4:00! So, I made a vow that I would run a marathon every decade. Bring on the 50s!

Unfortunately, I have let things slide a little too long. I am now 59 and, in order to keep the promise I made to myself, I have to run a marathon this year.

As a result, I registered to run the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on Oct. 19, 2014. I would love to finish this run in 4:01. The bottom line is I will take as long as it takes to finish this marathon. Secondly, I am celebrating a 10th anniversary.

In Aug. 2004, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In a spectrum of cancers, pancreatic cancer is at the end you do not want to be on. The survival rates for this cancer is less than five per cent. Most die within six months of being diagnosed; it’s a silent killer and you are considered cured if you survive 18 months. It’s that aggressive.

As a result of the Whipple operation I received and the chemotherapy that followed, I have many things to be thankful for, such as the support of my wife, Sarah. She was there for me during this entire ordeal. She was also pregnant with my youngest daughter, Hannah. Sarah adeptly arranged our wedding for Aug. 1 with only three days notice.

Sarah’s entire extended family would come over for weeks at a time to help out during my recovery period. All of my children supported me every step of the way. I am so grateful that I was able to meet my youngest child, Hannah. She was born the week of my last chemo session.

I now have had three grandchildren, each born in the last 10 years; I got to meet them all.

I’m grateful to the nursing staff at the Civic campus of the Ottawa hospital and to my surgeon, Dr. Richard Mimeault. The care I was given was second-to-none. I feel lucky to be a Canadian citizen. At no time did I have to concern myself with the cost of all of the procedures I was undergoing: I just had to concern myself with getting better.

Not everyone is so lucky. I have lost family, friends and work colleagues to cancer. Everyone has or will be touched by this disease. It must be stopped. I am participating in this marathon to support the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society.