As the annual Terry Fox Run approaches on Sunday, September 17, Mary-Ann and John Taves are sharing their stories of survival. The Powell River couple said they hope coming forward and speaking openly about their experiences will encourage people to run, walk, bike or roll to raise money for cancer research.
Mary-Ann has lived with cancer for 24 years, beginning with a diagnosis of malignant melanoma in 1993.
“I was also diagnosed with lung cancer in 1994,” said Mary-Ann, “and had a lung removed in 1995.”
Exactly one year ago, John was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, which resulted in a role reversal for the couple, with John requiring care and Mary-Ann becoming the caregiver.
“We’ve had to switch roles and it makes you more sensitive, but it also makes you stronger when you've seen both sides and have walked through it,” said John. “We live really grateful lives now.”
John received chemotherapy treatment for nine weeks and underwent surgery last December.
“I was about 15 days in hospital where they removed my esophagus and 30 per cent of my stomach,” said John. “They rolled my stomach into an esophagus and recreated a digestive system, and then I had another nine weeks of chemotherapy after that.”
Since moving to Powell River from Mission in 2011, being forthright about her cancer experience has been difficult, according to Mary-Ann.
“I only told a few people my story because I was starting fresh,” she said. “Some people know, but not very many. For me, this has been a big step forward.”
Mary-Ann had chemotherapy treatment in 1996 after cancer returned in a lymph node. Another primary cancer developed in her other lung in 2005, requiring more chemotherapy and radiation.
“It's been a bit of a walk,” she said.
John will take part in the Terry Fox Run as a cancer survivor for the first time this year. Mary-Ann first participated in 1995.
“I was just recovering from surgery and having one lung; it took a long time to learn how to breathe,” said Mary-Ann. “I felt fantastic though, which is what John will feel like this year when he walks as a survivor.”
According to Canadian Cancer Society, one in two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime and one in four will die.
Many of the approximately 400 people who will join the local run have endured personal experiences with cancer, including event coordinators Ted and Jan Rodonets; the couple's daughter Jody died of leukemia at the age of 21.
“It's so common that it is something to be afraid of, but it's nothing to be ashamed of,” said Jan, “and it's not a death sentence.”
Fox attempted to run across Canada in 1980 but was forced to end his endeavour outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario, on September 1, 1980, due to cancer returning and spreading to his lungs. He completed 5,374 kilometres of the journey.
Fox’s Marathon of Hope helped bring cancer out of the shadows and into public consciousness. In the 36 years since his death on June 28, 1981, Terry Fox Foundation has raised more than $700 million for cancer research worldwide.
Powell River’s annual event has raised more than $550,000, with about $25,000 collected annually from the run, donations and youth who participate through their schools.
The 37th annual Terry Fox Run takes place at 10 am on Sunday, September 17, at Powell River Recreation Complex; registration begins at 8:30 am. Entrants can run, walk, cycle or roll a 3.5 or 10-kilometre route.
For more information, search for Terry Fox Run - Powell River on Facebook.
