For as long as he can remember, running has been a constant in Benjamin’s life. But that wouldn’t be the case without his dad, Brian.
Long before he competed in races or trained for marathons, Benjamin was just a kid tagging along to the gym while his brother had basketball practice. To pass the time, Brian would often walk laps around the track while his son practiced.
One day, Benjamin joined him, and Brian challenged him to sprint around the track to catch up with him before he finished his lap. This became a cherished memory and the beginning of his running journey.
A week later, he was at his first track practice. Within a few weeks, he was competing.
What started as a challenge from his dad eventually led to a passion that has followed Benjamin from middle school through college, and into his day-to-day life. Now, running has given him another way to honor the person who first encouraged him to run.
After losing his dad to pancreatic cancer, Benjamin plans to participate in a run with Project Purple in his honor.
A Fighter Until The End
Brian spent 20 years with the Air Force Security Forces. He was tough, hardworking, and carried what Benjamin described as a “warrior mentality.” But that toughness never took away from the loving person he was.
“He was a fighter and a very faithful person,” Benjamin said.
In July of 2022, that fighting mentality was put to the test when concerning symptoms led to a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
When he was walking the track like normal at the gym and suddenly passed out, he was taken to the hospital, where they discovered multiple blood clots that traveled through his heart. When doctors did further testing to address the blood clots, they found a spot on his pancreas.
After a biopsy, he learned that he had stage four pancreatic cancer and was given a prognosis of 12 to 24 months. He would go on to survive for approximately 2.5 years.
Despite the diagnosis, Brian never gave up. “He was living every day as it comes; you gotta live life,” Benjamin shared. “ I admired that.”
Treatment began shortly after his diagnosis. While he experienced weight loss, loss of appetite, and hair loss, Benjamin said he continued to maintain his faith, and he approached each day with the same determination he always had.
For Benjamin, watching Brian face cancer without allowing it to completely take over his life changed the way he views his own challenges.
“Watching him not give up when life gave him crappy circumstances means the same for me,” Benjamin said.
When the Days Get Hard
Benjamin started running during his father’s illness and continues to run even after his passing. Running had already been an outlet for him during difficult times, and it became a way to process the emotions that came with watching his dad battle cancer.
“It has gotten me through other tough times before, so it’s my go-to mechanism to deal with emotions,” Benjamin said.
Because Benjamin lived three hours away, spending time with his dad wasn’t always easy. It was important for him to make the most of the time they had together, staying connected through calls, texts, and regular check-ins.
The example Brian led with has stayed with him throughout this entire journey. “He would want me to continue no matter what,” Benjamin shared.
Even after Brian’s passing, Benjamin continues to carry reminders of him every day. He has several tattoos dedicated to his dad that act as a constant reminder of his legacy and the person he was.
“Even though he passed, it’s what I look at every day,” Benjamin said. “I have that reminder.”
Running for a Cause
Benjamin had signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon but was unable to run due to his active-duty service being extended. He is excited to sign up for a new race when the opportunity arises.
For him, the fight against pancreatic cancer is about creating a future where families have better research, better treatment options, and more hope.
“It’s a small thing, but cancer sucks; it all does, but this is one of the most dangerous ones,” Benjamin said. “And if we can make a difference, it would feel really good to be a part of that change.”
His dad taught him to keep moving when life gets difficult. Now, Benjamin is looking forward to putting that lesson into action.
If you’d like to run or participate in an event of your own for Project Purple, visit our events page.
