Three complete strangers on a mission to raise awareness for sarcoma cancer ran from San Francisco to Ocean City over 157 days in 2013, and raised $100,000 for sarcoma cancer research in the process.
This is Landon Cooper. In November 2009, his friend Ashley Davis was diagnosed with sarcoma, a form of cancer that affects the body’s connective tissues.
Landon’s life ultimately went through a transformation. “Ashley had an immediate impact on me,” Landon says. “I was oblivious, but now I can see.”
Landon walked away from his career and comfortable lifestyle to raise money for cancer research.
Landon witnessed firsthand the effects of cancer in his friend Ashley, and decided to do something about it. A few months after Ashley was diagnosed, he formed a team to run a marathon relay race in her honor. The race took place on Valentine’s Day, 2010. After the race was over, Landon realized that he wanted to do more for Ashley, and others who fight cancer each day.
After Ashley lost her battle with cancer, Landon kept running in her honor.
Landon was soon joined by two other men, who were inspired by his passion.
Ryan Priest (right) joined Miles2Give as Tour Director, and ran alongside Landon. Ryan was born in Chicago, and has been to more than 24 countries in his lifetime. John McKay (left) also ran, and chronicled the team’s journey as videographer. No stranger to long distances, John has actually cycled across the U.S. in 2002.
Together, they set out to run from the Golden Gate Bridge to the White House in 5 months.
The journey began on Valentine’s Day, 2013.
“I haven’t met one family tree where at least one branch wasn’t affected by cancer.”
Each day, Landon, John and Ryan painted the name of someone fighting cancer on their faces before they started running.
They traveled alongside a Winnebago RV, and chronicled their journey through photos and video.
Along the way, the guys visited hospitals, schools and fundraisers to meet survivors, raise awareness and inspire others.
The team logged up to 30 miles at a time along some of America’s busiest and loneliest highways.
Landon says he received encouragement from some, and endured bottles and cans thrown at him from others. Still, he kept his pace each day with determination to honor those fighting the tremendous and grueling battle of cancer.
Ultimately, the team logged 3,187 miles across 14 states, and raised $103,000 for cancer research.
157 days after departing Ocean Beach, San Francisco, the team reached Ocean City, Maryland on July 20, 2013. In all, 270 men, women and children who fought sarcoma were honored by the three selfless runners.
“We will leave you inspired with a perspective unlike no other, until this generation can produce the antidote,” the team wrote on their blog.
Miles2Give released a documentary about their journey, with the hope it will continue to raise awareness for Sarcoma.
Visit miles2give.org for more information about sarcoma cancer, and how you can help. All photos credited to Rebecca Hewett.
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