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A Team LIVESTRONG Story: Matt Ellefson

Nov 18, 2011 by Guest

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The following is a Team LIVESTRONG story from Austin Half Marathon participant Matt Ellefson. Join Matt at the 2012 LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon and Half Marathon this February. There are many events you can take part in with Team LIVESTRONG. Go to our website to learn more about the run, walk, ride and tri events.

What is your name and where are you from?
Matt Ellefson – Sioux Falls, SD

In what event are you taking part?
LIVESTRONG Austin Half Marathon (2/19/2012)

What is your cancer story?
I was first touched by cancer on December 31, 2009 when I was diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Without treatments, I was given 8 months to live. With treatments, I was facing a five year survival rate of 5%. Since I was a non-smoker and have always lived a healthy and fit lifestyle, it was a complete shock to me and my family. You never really appreciate how blessed you are with family, friends, and accomplishments until the day you realize that it can all be taken away from you.

After completing 5 months of aggressive treatments, my cancer went into remission. On August 31, 2011, I was touched by cancer for a second time with a recurrence in lymph nodes located in my chest. Today I continue to fight with the help of God and a new treatment plan. I may have cancer, but cancer doesn’t have me. On February 19, 2012, I will run in my first ever half marathon in Austin, TX with Team LIVESTRONG. I live life under my own terms and remain focused on my strong faith in God and the things I love most: family, friends and helping those affected by cancer. I love life, I love my life and my life has never been better.

What made you become a part of Team LIVESTRONG?
I joined Team LIVESTRONG for two reasons; 1) to raise money for services to help the 28 million people worldwide affected by cancer. 2) to help dispel the stigma that advanced lung cancer is a death sentence. Lung cancer is the #1 killer of all cancers killing more people each year than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney, and melanoma cancers combined but, it is not a death sentence. I will not be another presumed statistic of the past but a survivor of the future. I will not just live, I will LIVESTRONG!

What is your one piece of advice you would give to a cancer survivor in your situation?
Be careful what you think about as your thoughts can control your life. Don’t ever forget that one of the greatest gifts God gave us is the ability to control our thoughts. We can choose to worry and think about all the bad things that could happen to us or we can choose to be positive and focus on all the wonderful opportunities that lie ahead of us. Whenever I reframe setbacks as opportunities, I always find that I gain much more than I have lost.