TORONTO — Marathon runner Issie Pelc says that he runs because he can. The 59-year-old father of three who started running about 10 years ago, is a cancer survivor, “and I run in spite of my medical history. It reaffirms my life.”
Issie Pelc
Pelc was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2006, one week before he ran in the Boston Marathon. “I was determined to keep going, and I kept running during the four months of chemotherapy and one month of radiation at Princess Margaret Hospital.”
He gradually built back up to a full running routine, and by the end of that year, he ran another marathon.
“When I crossed the finish line, I knew I was back in the game,” said Pelc, who recently sold his wholesale food business.
He ran in Boston again in 2007 and has run a marathon each month since. “My quest is to run 60 marathons by the time I turn 60 in June.
“I’ve finished 29 monthly marathons, and I’ve run 50 altogether. I’m running in the Toronto Waterfront marathon on Sept. 27, so I should reach my goal.”
His family is supportive, he said. “My daughter writes me good-luck notes before each marathon.”
But he’s not just running to prove that he can.
“My wife, Shelley, is having her own battle with ovarian cancer, and she is emotional about her own plight,” Pelc said. “I’m running to raise awareness of the need to fund more cancer care and research.”
As a patient at Princess Margaret Hospital, Shelley is currently participating in a clinical trial that has shown a lot of promise. “Her tumours have been under control since last year. I’m running to let it be known that cancer can indeed be beaten. Look at me. I had cancer and came out running marathons.
“I also want to publicize that past research is saving lives, and more research will save more lives in the future.”
Running has been his way of life for the past 10 years, he said. “Along with cycling, it keeps me fit. I love it. I can’t even describe how it makes me feel. I’m also hoping it will motivate people to donate to my cause.
“It’s a win-win situation. It makes me feel great, and I’m running for a good cause. Unfortunately, there is a lot of illness out there. I’m doing what I can.”
For more information, visit www.issiesquest.ca.
