Running for a reason
Queenstowner Bradley Jackson ran the 2022 Queenstown Marathon while raising funds for the Head and Neck Cancer Charitable Trust. The 23-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of tongue cancer as he was approaching his 21st birthday in 2020. Bradley hoped by running the marathon that he could both raise awareness about the disease and also raise money for the charity – so far he’s raised over $11,000.
Bradley, who originally hails from Invercargill, studied in Dunedin and now calls Queenstown home. A keen cricketer, he really enjoys the lifestyle that Queenstown offers. It was just before the first lockdown when he moved back home that he noticed an ulcer on his tongue – he didn’t think much of it and was admittedly a bit stubborn to go to the doctor.
“Over the lockdown I just noticed a gradual decrease in my speech and the ability to eat and swallow. Then lockdown lifted and I went back to Dunedin for the semester one exams. I didn’t really sleep for a couple of weeks because of the pain that I was in – I was trying to study as well, which was a bit hectic. Then I sat my exams and I was given the time to deal with it all.
“Prior to that I was pretty stubborn and a bit naive – just a classic uni student thinking ‘it’ll come right.’ I went to the doctor and they gave me antibiotics and some cream and said to come back if that didn’t clear it up. I went back in two weeks and it probably just made it a wee bit worse,” says Bradley.
He was then referred on where he received a biopsy, and a few days later he received the news that it was cancer. “I then drove down to Dunedin where I had to have CAT scans, MRI scans, CT scans, and all my wisdom teeth had to be taken out, even though they probably weren’t ready to be taken out.”
Bradley was given two options, to either cut it out, which would leave him struggling to talk or eat for the rest of his life, or to try chemotherapy and radiation, which had a 50% chance of success. He chose the chemotherapy route, which luckily worked for him. Bradley describes the physical and mental impact of his treatment as something he never could have imagined, but that he now has a new perspective and appreciation for seemingly simple things such as talking, eating and being able to taste. He also has a greater appreciation for life and what we have the ability to do.
Those diagnosed with head and neck cancers can face intense treatment and surgeries, both of which have short- and long-term implications on the individuals life, as well as a toll on their loved ones. Having experienced this himself, and understanding the hurdles those with head and neck cancers have to face, Bradley wanted to participate in the marathon to support those confronted with the disease.
“I thought, what better way to fundraise and raise awareness than to run a marathon and hopefully make things easier for friends, family and direct patients who have to deal with it, and just make it a bit easier for them, whether it be support or processing their food better.”
Bradley said that completing the marathon was “pretty surreal and quite a cool feeling.” A little sore, just as most people were when they finished, he’s pretty happy with how it all went and is especially appreciative of all the friends and family that supported him both on the day and over the past couple of years.
“The first half was fine and then when I realised it was only halfway I got a wee bit negative. Then I had a second wave of energy come through, which was quite nice and got me through the last 10k or so. I probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the support of my friends and family. Doing the race, it was more for them and other people who are going through something similar.”
Bradley’s Give A Little Page was sitting at $11,259 on Monday morning and is still open – you can read more about Bradley’s story and donate at givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/ queenstown-marathon-2021-fundraiser-for-head
