Cancer survivor to run Boston Marathon with his doctor
John B. Johnson will hit the pavement alongside his colorectal surgeon, Dr. David Rosen with the Cleveland Clinic, whom he credits for helping him detect and defeat cancer.
Two years ago, Johnson was training for the Cleveland Marathon, hoping to achieve his dream of running in the Boston Marathon.
'I was in the best shape of my life,' Johnson said on 'Morning In America.' 'And two weeks after that, I found out I had Stage 2 colorectal cancer. That opened my eyes, I think, to this illness and how susceptible we all are to this type of cancer.'
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Johnson's diagnosis came around the same time his wife learned she was pregnant with their second child. But Johnson was determined to push forward with the help of his doctor, vowing to beat the disease and make it to Boston.
'He inspired me, as he was really focused on optimism,' Rosen said. 'Every step of the way, I just saw him fight it and be inspired for the next step.'
After five months of treatment, Johnson was cancer-free and starting to plan for a Boston trip once again. But this time, he wasn't planning on tackling the endurance challenge alone.
Rosen had offhandedly suggested they tackle the 26.2-mile trek together.
'I hadn't really thought about it that much,' Rosen said. 'And he just said, 'Yes, we're doing it.' And I was kind of committed before I even realized.'
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Johnson told NewsNation he's excited for the race and that his doctor is 'an animal when it comes to running.'
'I didn't know that before I signed up with him,' Johnson said. 'But I'm very excited to just achieve this dream and be able to run the biggest marathon in the world two years after beating cancer.'
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in American men and women, excluding skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. In 2025, an estimated 154,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be detected.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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