“I am a double survivor, because I get screened.”

Now where would you see that kind of statement?  It appears on the back of Marv Negrin’s running shirt, that’s where. That statement provides a picture of who Marv Negrin is, and what he is all about. What an amazing guy!

This athlete —surviving colon cancer, a Thymoma (an uncommon tumor of the Thymus gland), stomach cancer and MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is currently training for the Mercer Island Rotary Club’s Half Marathon, March 22. Sponsored by Rotary, the majority of proceeds benefit colon cancer awareness.

Born and raised in Spokane, Wash., Marv came over the mountains to the University of Washington, where he met his wife, Saralyn.

They moved, with their four children, to Mercer Island in 1984. Marv had already started a corrugated box business, “Carton Service Company,” and headquartered it in Tukwila. He has been successful in filling this niche market for 40 years.

During these years, the Negrins proudly watched all four children become Husky grads. Marv is quick to announce that he and nine immediate family members have tested positive for Lynch Syndrome. This inherited gene normally fights cancer, but with Lynch that gene is only 50 percent functional.

In general, those with Lynch Syndrome have a strong tendency toward developing colon cancer, plus other malignancies—such as ovarian and endometrial cancers. Recognizing this predisposition through family history is very important as many of these cancers occur at an earlier age than in the general population.

In 2004, one of his daughters had a partial colectomy for colon cancer. She was 26. In 2012 Marv had a gastrectomy for stomach cancer. Then in 2014 his other daughter underwent the removal of colon, ovarian and endometrial cancers.  At the same time, Marv—who gets checked every year—was discovered to have colon cancer—early– and he had a 70 percent colon resection.

A longtime athlete, Marv started swimming as a teenager and later coached his kids’ sports teams. Then he picked up cycling and running in his 40s. At age 46, he was inspired by some Bellevue Club triathletes and went on to finish three Canadian Iron Man events. Then he ran the 1994 Seattle Marathon and the following year a 3-hour 27-minute Capitol City Marathon (in Olympia, Wash.) that qualified him for the Boston Marathon, which he ran in 1996. His last marathon was Los Angeles, 2004.

Marv runs three times a week, and does speed work and intervals with friends. He is an enthusiastic follower of CrossFit, for their physical exercise philosophy. He is also involved with Gilda’s Club and appreciates this community based program of social, emotional and educational support for those with cancer, as well as their families and friends. And he does work with a nutritionist to maintain a dietary balance.

This is not a man to be daunted; while in the hospital he measured the distance around the hospital wing and found that 17 laps would make a mile….so there he was, in his socks….. right after one of his surgeries, walking. (Honest guy that he is, he had little markers to keep track, so he wouldn’t cheat on the distance.)

Fascinating fellow, this Marv Negrin. And watch out, because he is in a new age group this year. This young 70-year old is vying for top place, so don’t count him out.

Parting words, Marv? “Don’t take life for granted,” he said.

Mercer Island Rotary member Patricia Darling is a Registered Nurse.

43rd annual Mercer Island Half is March 22

The annual event that kicks off the Northwest running season is Sunday, March 22. The Farmers Insurance pre-race Expo is March 21 at the Mercer Island Community and Events Center.

Sponsored by the Mercer Island Rotary Club, there is something for everyone. Events include the Half Marathon run, Half Marathon walk, the 10K run, a 5K run and walk and the famous Kids Dash.

To find out more and to register, visit http://mercerislandhalf.com.

Proceeds benefit colon cancer awareness.