Running 26.2 miles in Berlin to raise $4,000 for the American Cancer Society. Every step is a tribute to those who have fought, are fighting, and will continue to fight against cancer.
Join me on this journey as I train for the BMW 2026 Berlin Marathon while raising funds and awareness for cancer research, patient support, and education.
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Watch: My Cancer Journey
Hear me share my story in my own words
I ran a marathon with cancer.
Not metaphorically.
Literally.
It was October 2024. I had already committed to running the Marine Corps Marathon. I had trained, visualized the finish line, and prepared like I always do. But earlier that month, I was diagnosed with cancer. I knew something was wrong—my body felt off. There was pain I couldn't ignore. Still, I wasn't ready to stop.
I told my doctors I needed more time. I asked them to delay the surgery until after the race. They agreed—three days. That was the window I had.
So I ran.
Through the symptoms.
Through the questions.
Through the fear that pulsed quietly beneath every stride.
It wasn't just physical. It was spiritual. Emotional. Soul-deep.
And somehow… it became one of the most blissful, soul-enriching marathons I've ever experienced. There was something sacred about it. I wasn't running away from the diagnosis—I was running through it, toward something greater. Toward purpose.
After the race, I had surgery. Recovery began. And so did the part of the story that reminded me just how much love I'm surrounded by.
My sister flew up from North Carolina with a cookbook in hand—Chris and Micah Wark's Cancer-Fighting Kitchen—and she and my mom prepared meals from it while I rested and mentally prepared for treatment. That book became a symbol. It meant we were doing something. Fighting back. Nourishing my body with intention and care.
My dad, along with a few close friends, stood strong and steady through it all. Their support meant everything. Their presence was grounding.
By pure luck—and the grace of God—I didn't need chemotherapy. I remain under active surveillance today. Every scan and test is a reminder of what I went through… and what I continue to carry forward.
Cancer, like many challenges in life, forces you to choose. You learn quickly how vital support is—from family, from friends, from community. But at the end of the day, it comes down to you.
You have to decide:
Do I give in?
Or do I keep living with purpose?
I chose to live.
To honor the talents God gave me.
To keep running.
To run the world.
This fall, I'll be running the Berlin Marathon as part of the DetermiNation Team, raising $4,000 for the American Cancer Society. It's a promise to stand with those who are walking through cancer right now—to help make sure no one has to face it alone. Not emotionally. Not financially. Not spiritually.
Over the coming months, I'll be sharing recipes from that same cookbook—meals that helped me heal. Not just physically, but emotionally, too. Each recipe is a reminder of what it means to be cared for, to keep going, and to take your power back one small step at a time.
Because cancer doesn't discriminate.
It doesn't care how old you are.
How fit you are.
Or how "healthy" your lifestyle looks on paper.
But we still have power.
The power to take action.
To share our stories.
To support someone else.
To choose purpose over fear.
If you'd like to join me in this journey, I invite you to donate. Even a small amount can make a lasting impact in someone's life.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for caring.
And thank you for standing with those who need it most.
—Mitchell Garber
The Berlin Marathon is renowned as one of the fastest courses in the world, known for its flat terrain and incredible atmosphere. It's where world records are broken and dreams are realized. Running through the iconic Brandenburg Gate at the finish line will be a moment I'll never forget—and I'll carry the spirit of everyone who has supported this cause with me every step of the way.
Whether you donate, share my story, or simply send words of encouragement—every act of support makes a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.