Pascual was diagnosed with stage 4 mediastinal paraganglioma, a rare disease. (Donald Miralle/IRONMAN)
Jonathan Pascualand nurse specialist in lung transplants 50 years old, defied the odds and fulfilled the dream of his entire life upon completing the Ironman World Championshipone of the most arduous tests of the sport.
Pascualresident of Vallejo, Californiawas diagnosed in 2022 con mediastinal paraganglioma in stage 4a rare type of cancer that had spread to their lungs y bonesand received a prognosis of survival of five years. However, her love for him triathlon and his desire to inspire others led him to face the challenge of this championship, completing the competence last weekend at an event determination y endurance.
The Pascual’s career in it triathlon started in 1999. Since then, he has participated in more than 15 events Ironmanwhich gave him the status of Legacy Athleteallowing you to qualify for the world competition. He Ironman World Championshipconsidered the summit event in the serie Ironmanrequires its participants to complete a extreme triathlon: a swimming of 3.86 kilometersa tour in bicycle of 180 kilometers and one marathon of 42.2 kilometers.
Pascual’s participation in the Ironman was a tribute to other cancer patients. (Donald Miralle/IRONMAN)
Pascual admitted in an interview with Good Morning America of ABC that the symptoms of your disease they complicated their training. “It was definitely harder to train for the championship due to shortness of breath and chronic pain,” he explained. The disease affects your heart ratewhich causes him dizziness and included fainting if you try too hard. Despite these physical challenges, Pascual did not let his terminal diagnosis stopped him, highlighting that participation in this event It was not only a personal achievementbut also a tribute to others cancer patients.
He mediastinal paraganglioma is a type of tumor neuroendocrino extremely rare, developing in the mediastinumthe central cavity in the chest among the lungs. According to the National Cancer Institutelos paraganglioma They affect approximately two people per million. Even so, the variant mediastinal of this condition represents less than 0.3% of mediastinal massesaccording to research published in the journal Medicine (Baltimore)available in National Library of Medicine.
To Pascualthis disease adds to a history doctor complicated. In 2007was diagnosed with a tumor cerebralwhich could be removed surgically. However, the diagnosis of mediastinal paraganglioma in advanced stage was devastating, since this form of cancer is difficult to treat and has a survival rate limited.
Jonathan Pascual defied his cancer diagnosis by completing one of the toughest tests in sport. (Donald Miralle/IRONMAN)
The proof more challenging for Pascual in it championship was the stage of swimming. The horizontal position affected the blood flow due to his tumorwhich made it severely difficult for him to breathing. “There were times I had to turn around and swim on my back just to catch my breath,” he recalled.
Pascual has described his participation in the Ironman as a “tribute” to the cancer patients who face their own fights daily. “Seeing me cross the finishing line It was a moment that I had imagined in my mind for years, like a movie,” he explained. With this feat, Pascual hopes to encourage others not to give up, even in extreme circumstances, as ask for help when they need it. “I am here today thanks to support that I received from others,” he commented.
In addition to offering words of encouragement to those facing difficulties, Pascual emphasizes the importance of being a positive influence. “It is very important to be a good friendhe best teammatehe best son or daughter and be the most person gentle in the room,” he said. “Be a strength for good “It allows us to positively impact the lives of others,” he said.
