COMMUNITY JOURNALISM: Running for a cause

Editor's note: Cedar Rapids native Dave Martin ran his first marathon in 1976. He ran the Boston Marathon in 1996 and 2000 and completed his 50th marathon last May. He is a volunteer of the American Cancer Society and served as the co-chair for the Relay for Life of Linn County for five years. Dave was an elementary teacher for 20 years and now is parish manager at St Wenceslaus Church.

By David Martin, community contributor

I have been a long-distance runner for more than 35 years.

In recent years, I've wanted to use my running to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and its fight against cancer. My hope is to inspire many people to write small checks (or large ones).

Some years I have run a marathon at several different area Relay events. In 2008, I ran 50 miles at the Relay for Life of UNI. In 2009, I ran a 55-miler at the Relay of Life of UNI. The 55 had significance. This was the 25th anniversary of Relay for Life and the 30 year anniversary of my father losing his fight to cancer.

I thank God every day that I have been blessed with good health, that I am physically able to even consider doing something like these runs. It is not something I take for granted, especially at age 57.

Since I am able to do this I feel a responsibility to at least try and help those who cancer has hit. Like many, I have seen several people I care about receive cancer diagnoses in recent months ... and since “It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness” I choose to keep exploring ways to “light candles.”

I hope to be a vehicle to help others help me make a difference.

Last August, 26-year-old Cheyanne Boddicker of Tipton swam the English Channel, becoming the first Iowa woman to accomplish this incredible feat, cover the more than 21 nautical miles in 15 hours and 39 minutes. A few lines on her website are a perfect match for my feeling about this: “Sounds awfully challenging and exhausting, no? As some of you may know, that is nothing compared to what cancer patients must endure. What is the difference between them and me? I have the choice to put my body through this. They do not. Cancer patients endure pain and fatigue for months or even years. The cost of treatment is overwhelming. But sometimes, cancer comes at an even greater cost: one's own life.”

On May 4, starting at 8 a.m., I will run 100K (62 miles) around 1/4-mile course on the Springville School property as part of Relay for Life Field Day. The challenge is “I will run 100 - please raise 100.” Raise either $100 or 100 quarters or 100 dimes or 100 nickels.

I invite everyone in Linn County to be a part of this. Your contribution will go to the Relay for Life team of your choice. Mount Vernon and Lisbon funds will go to Cornell's Relay for Life May 11-12.

If you do not yet have a team for Linn County's event (June 1-2 at Kirkwood Community College) we can help make that happen.

Or you can make the donation to the American Cancer Society 100 for 100.

Come on out to Springville May 4 if you can. To make a contribution contact me at (319) 573-8155 or donate online at www.relayforlife.or/linncountyia

Together we can make a difference.

Join our community contributor team by emailing J.R. Ogden at jr.ogden@thegazette.com