Pinoy cancer survivor to run North Pole Marathon

Luisito “Louie” Sangalang is overcoming challenge after challenge — first cancer, next the North Pole.

The multi-sport athlete on Thursday received a send-off to the “world’s coolest marathon,” the FWD North Pole Marathon, which will be held on April 9.

Sangalang is the sole Filipino athlete who will compete along with 10 other runners from Asia. They, too, have also risen up against their own challenges, such as disabilities.

The athletes will have to overcome sub-zero temperatures and harsh conditions to race the 42.16-kilometer stretch located between 89 N and 90 N.

Running on ice and snow has an alarming amount of risks that come with it: possible cases of hypothermia, injuries, and frostbite. Everything from tying shoelaces and even peeing will be a test during the race.

Sangalang, who had never even stepped foot on snow, much less ran on it, was understandably apprehensive in the beginning.

“Initially, yes, because it’s a new environment,” he said during the send-off.

However, once he started training in different terrains, including inside a freezer, Sangalang started to find enjoyment in the challenge.

“Yung takot na-replace siya ng enjoyment, because I saw that I can actually cope pala. Yung akala mo hindi... it was actually a bit easier than I thought I would be,” he said.

Sangalang is no stranger to that feeling.

When he was 21, what he thought was merely appendicitis turned out to be caused by cancer cells that attached themselves to the lining of his appendix, causing it to be inflamed and infected.

“I was graduating from college, I had a newborn. I was in a very opportune time in my life,” he said.

When he found out, it felt like his world came crashing down around him. But Sangalang did more than survive — he lived.

He was told that he wouldn’t be able to do much sports, but he has always been athletic and was reluctant to give it up. He entered mixed martial arts first, then turned to triathlons to build up his endurance.

Now, Sangalang joins competitions, and more importantly, is sharing his story to help and inspire others who are in the same situation he was in.

“Yes it feels great to beat disease but you should also throw caution to the wind. Kasi you never know when it comes back,” he said.

“I always want to live. That’s the reason why we’re here. Having cancer, going beyond it is a great milestone but it can come back. But I always think as long as wala siya, and I’m living a healthy life, I’m here to help people learn to cope,” he added. —JST, GMA News