MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – Jaxon Hindman is training forhis next marathon. He’s a survivor, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in2014.
“The doctor called my mom back and when she came out againlike 15 minutes later, she was just bawling,” recountedHindman. “I didn’t really understand at the time. Her exact words atthe time were ‘there’s something in your head that doesn’t need to be there.’”
He underwent 30 radiation treatments and four chemotreatments before becoming cancer-free 6 months later.
That same year, Team Jaxon 2 was created, where his family ran theSt. Jude race in his honor. From that point on, Jaxon wanted to run too.
With a 5K and two half-marathons under his belt, Jaxon got theokay from his doctor to finally run a marathon last year.
A smile comes to his face, when he’s asked how it felt tocross that finish line.
“Watching that, I started to tear up,” Hindman said.“It’s just so inspiring. I had my whole family beside the finish lineholding my banner.”
Now the high school senior is a proud eagle scout and shootscompetitive air rifle.
In December, he’s gearing up for another 26.2 miles.
“That’s been one of the biggest things for me to realize howmuch of an impact I have on other people being a patient and going out andrunning a full marathon.”
The motivation comes from patients like himself.
“I’m running this race for them,” commented Hindman.“So I can’t quit now. They can’t quit either.”
Jaxon’s team has raised over $10,000 for St. Jude Hospital.
However, he’s not stopping there. Jaxon has plans to studyanesthesiology and return to St. Jude to help other patients in the future.