A Running Tribute

10k participants raise funds for Massey Cancer Center

Meredith and Jon Axisa after the 2008 Twin Cities Marathon in St. Paul, Minn.

It’s easy and free to sign up for the Massey Challenge. Just follow these steps:
1. Sign up for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k at www.sportsbackers.org.
2. Join the Massey Challenge sponsored by Anthem at www.run4massey.org.
3. Click on “Register Now.” Here, you can form a new fundraising team or join an existing team. You can also join as an individual or simply make a donation. For more information, call (804) 828-0883.

Gallery, Massey Cancer 10k

The couple during their final dance at their April 10, 2010 wedding in South Carolina.

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By: Promotional Feature | Times-Dispatch
Published: February 06, 2011

Meredith Axisa is an experienced runner. She has participated in eight marathons, most recently setting a personal record of 2:59 at the Chicago Marathon. But for Meredith, the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by MARTIN’S on April 2 will be an especially significant race.

She is running in memory of her husband, Jon, who died of cancer at the age of 30, only three months after their wedding.

Meredith, along with thousands of other 10k participants, is raising funds for VCU Massey Cancer Center, the official charity of the 10k. Participants can join the Massey Challenge sponsored by Anthem and fundraise as an individual or a team. Meredith has formed "Team Jonny Ax" in memory of Jon. She has set a goal of raising $5,000.

Jon was diagnosed with a rare metastatic liver cancer in January 2010. Determined to fight, Jon began treatment. Two months later, he was in a great deal of pain and his doctor determined the treatment was not working. He recommended the couple look into hospice for the likely two to three weeks Jon had left to live.

Not willing to give up, the couple came to Massey Cancer Center in April 2010.

"The doctors at Massey didn’t give up on us," said Meredith. "Immediately, Massey became our place of comfort. Jon received scans, a biopsy, radiation and chemotherapy treatments."

Jon showed improvement and soon the couple was hiking their favorite trails together.

"Jon was doing awesome," explained Meredith. "But in late June, his body suddenly had enough, and I drove him to the ER semi-conscious."

Meredith and Jon spent most of the next two weeks surrounded by the meaningful butterfly motif and supportive staff of Massey’s Thomas Palliative Care Unit. It was there that tests indicated Jon’s liver was failing.

"Jon died on Thursday, July 8, 2010. I was in bed with him, hugging and kissing him," Meredith recalled. "I felt warmth, like embers of fire going out. Then he stopped breathing. Later, when I came home, I lay down on the sofa and felt the same warmth. His presence was with me."

"Massey gave us three extra months together – for that I am grateful," said Meredith.