When fitness enthusiast Lee Sarsfield learns that his friend and training partner Bobby has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, he sets himself a challenge to complete 30 marathons in 30 days. He decided to do it, but he didn’t want to do it. Just “just do it.” Instead, Lee Sarsfield, also known as “Sars,” set out to complete a 46.2-mile session every day that included running, skiing, rowing, and biking. Incredibly, Bobby’s best friends have now raised nearly $70,000 to support his palliative care and treatment.
be inspired and moved, M&F We spoke to Lee Sarsfield to hear his inspiring story.
“I’m a self-employed dryliner working in the construction industry,” says the endurance enthusiast from North Manchester, England. “I have always been fit since I was a child by playing soccer, and after that I continued to stay fit mainly by running and putting weight on as I ran around the local hills. He loved the outdoors and used it as a training ground.
“I started training at the gym about 15 years ago purely on the treadmill, but then gradually moved to lighter training. I met Bobby at a gym round three years ago and soon We became good friends. Bobby was very strong and I was interested in fitness, so we started training together and it went very well. Bobby helped me get stronger and I helped him get healthy. We also started climbing many mountains together. Bobby was an expert at tolerating cold water, so I was introduced to work in cold water. Ta.
Unfortunately, about eight months ago, Bobby became unwell and the specialist at the hospital told him he might have pancreatic cancer. However, after multiple biopsies yielded inconclusive results, he was found to have benign cancer and he was sent home. non-cancerous) tumor. ” Pancreatic cancer is thought to account for approximately 3% of all cancers, but it is often difficult to diagnose. Many people with pancreatic cancer have no symptoms in the early stages or may have symptoms that are difficult to define.
Lee Sarsfield’s charity work in response to friend’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis
“Ultimately, Bobby was told by experts that he was 99% sure he had pancreatic cancer, but there are eight different types of pancreatic cancer and the wrong treatment could do more harm than good. “We were told that we couldn’t provide treatment unless we had a positive cell type,” Szasz said. “Bobby was re-admitted to the hospital for further biopsies, but was sent home again. This situation continued for months, but the only way out was to seek private medical help, so we They began raising money to help Bobby receive private treatment.
“The first fundraiser I did was to do 24 hours of continuous cardio in between running, rowing, skiing and stair mastering. The following week I tried 24 hour burpees in my home gym. Manchester Muscle Academy. I hadn’t done a single burpee in months, so this was a tough challenge. After completing 4,500 burpees, I had to stop after 17 and a half hours. 15.5 Stone (217 lb), this was quite a challenge and my back completely stiffened and I stopped. But I’m going to try again and make sure I complete the 24 hours!”
With money coming in via a GoFundMe page, Sars decided to keep challenging himself. He had a brainwave when he saw his MyProtein #Move30 challenge, which encourages people to do some form of fitness or exercise for his 30 days in a row.
“In January, to continue our fundraising efforts for Bobby, we decided to take on a bigger challenge and complete a marathon distance of 42.2 miles every day using a combination of running, rowing, skiing and cycling,” Sars said. says. “Bobby was then told that there was no further treatment and asked people to stop donating because he didn’t want people to keep pouring money into his page without a cure. But I continued to complete the 30-day challenge anyway, because what you start you always finish. Bobby would have worked with me on this challenge if he had the chance. Through this challenge , I was able to record a very good time in the marathon and was able to place 11th in the world in the Concept 2 Ski Erg Ranking.”
The funds will now be used for essential palliative care. “Most days were tough because I got a little anxious knowing I had to run a marathon after working all day, but once I started running, I was usually fine. But day 17 was different. After a few sleepless nights and long days, I think things are starting to catch up to me. With 20 kilometers left in the marathon, I hit a wall. I’m good at preventing things from happening, but this day was different. Everything was telling me to stop. For a few minutes I really doubted myself. Her daughter was in my ear telling me to remember why I was challenging myself and encouraging me not to quit. Her thoughts and Bobby’s thoughts and what he would give me to become a skier myself really encouraged me. From that day on, I had no doubt that I would succeed and complete this challenge. ”
Lee Sarsfield completes 30 day challenge
Fueled by his will to do what’s best for his friends and the extra calories he consumed from protein bars, flapjacks, energy gels, meal replacements, and whey powder, Saas completed 30 marathon distances in 30 days. I completed the race and achieved my best time ever. 55,000 euros or more, or approximately $70,000].
“After talking to Bobby last week about how he feels about all the challenges, he said he’s so proud of what I’ve accomplished and I’m so overwhelmed by the love and support everyone has shown me throughout this journey. ,” Szasz said. “Bobby has always believed in me and told me he knows this is just the beginning. Bobby is now giving me responsibility and planning my next challenge. I plan to run a 100-mile ultramarathon around Dub Stones’ favorite reservoir where Bobby and I first ran together. And each time I pass the spot where we jumped into cold water for the first time, I In total, you’ll do about 40 laps around the reservoir, so you’ll do 40 cold plunges. The challenge will take about 24 hours.”
Ms Szasz told M&F that while the fundraising was a source of encouragement for Bobby and her family, it also helped her harness her own despair and turn it into positive action. “We are planning more challenges in the near future,” he says. “Through this journey, I learned how putting myself through short-term pain can help others who are going through a very difficult time, while raising awareness of the continued need for cancer research.” I understand what you can do.”
(Editor’s note: Sadly, between hearing Lee’s story and publishing this interview, Bobby passed away, but I doubt the great friendships forged through fitness will last forever.) (There is no room for this.)
You can still donate by clicking here.
Follow Lee “Sars” Sarsfield here!