Outrunning Cancer with the American Cancer Society

Wednesday, June 3 is National Runners Day. In that spirit, here's a story about stage 4 cancer survivor Bruce Kane, who has literally outrun cancer thanks to advanced treatment at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center Dance Head and Neck Cancer Center and the support of his daughter Kristen, an avid runner, who took him to every treatment. Bruce’s cancer journey also involved losing 100 pounds and then making it his goal to run with his daughter when he finished treatment.

Additionally, Bruce, who works in Towson, and Kristen became big supporters of the annual Outrun Cancer 5K that takes place annually at Goucher College in Towson. It's one of about 100 5K events Bruce runs a year. Even though Outrun Cancer has gone virtual this summer, their team – “Bruce kicks the big C” – is still fundraising and attacking cancer. “Kristen took it upon herself to form a team in my honor. She learned about the Outrun Cancer 5K while searching for 5K’s, saw the list of Outrun Cancer’s sponsors, and one of them is GBMC, where I was treated. The run was brand new, and I was a new cancer survivor. So, Kristen went online, formed the team, and did the fundraising. We have a large, supportive family, so our team had almost 50 members/donors. I believe we were one of the top fundraising teams our first two years, thanks to Kristen,” says Bruce.

Diagnosed in November 2017, Bruce went through surgery, chemotherapy and 36 radiation treatments. “I rang the cancer celebratory bell at GBMC on a Thursday and did a 5K in Salisbury on Saturday and another in Ocean City on Sunday,” he says.

At first, Bruce, age 61, combined running and walking, but now he runs several times a week including once a week with Kristen. His best 5K time is 29 minutes. Most Saturdays, he runs at ACS’ partner parkrun, a free timed run in Leakin Park, though that run as all others in the area is on hold for the pandemic. He also belongs to the Baltimore Road Runners Club.

A former Johns Hopkins University football player, Bruce believes that cancer saved his life in a unique way. Thanks to his weight loss that began as a result of his cancer and to his running, he’s off the blood pressure and cholesterol medications he once took. To contribute to Bruce’s campaign or to join or form a team of your own, see www.Outruncancer.org. The 3rd annual Outrun Cancer 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run would have taken place at Goucher College on August 2, 2020. University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center is also a sponsor of the event. Runners and walkers are invited to participate virtually and send photos of themselves running or walking to Christine.schifkovitz@cancer.org to be posted on the Outrun Cancer Facebook page.