Cancer Survivors on the Running Track

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Intan Khasanah, a cancer survivor, takes part in the 2019 Borobudur Marathon.

Intan Khasanah, 23; Ridwan, 23; and Anita Harti, 32, hit rock bottom when they found out they had cancer. Through the strength of their spirit, the three tried to fight the fatal disease. Running is part of their recovery and a spiritual way to provide meaning to their lives.

From more than 10,000 runners participating in the 2019 Borobudur Marathon held around Borobudur Temple in Magelang regency, Central Java, on Sunday (17/11/2019), three cancer survivors managed to reach the finish line. They were Intan, Ridwan and Anita. Intan and Ridwan survived Hodgkin lymphoma cancer, which attacks the lymph gland, while Anita survived breast cancer.

In the 2019 Borobudur Marathon, Intan and Ridwan ran in the 10-kilometer category while Anita ran the half-marathon, or 21 km. All three reached the finish line.

Running is part of their recovery and a spiritual way to provide meaning to their lives.

The three cancer survivors are members of the Miles to Share community, which raises funds in running events for cancer sufferers. The community holds fundraising event called Marathon Running with Survivors for Cancer Fighters. A fundraising page on Kitabisa.com was established in July 2019.

Other than them, dozens of other runners were also involved in the fundraising. As of Sunday at 3 p.m., around Rp 460 million (US$32,693) had been raised out of a target of Rp 500 million. The raised funds will be donated to the Jakarta-based Yellow Ribbon Foundation that helps and guides children with cancer.

Behind Intan, Ridwan and Anita’s running activities, there were devastating life stories. Intan has fought cancer for around six years. She first felt several small bumps on her neck when she was still in high school in Pekanbaru, Riau, in 2013.

KOMPAS/KRISTI DWI UTAMI

Anita Harti

At first, the doctor diagnosed her with tuberculosis (TB).

“I consumed TB medicine for eight months,” said Intan, who now works at Kitabisa.com.

Afterwards, Intan experienced several problems, such as getting tired easily and shortness of breath. Meanwhile, the bumps on her neck continued to get bigger.

“After further checking, it was found that I had fluid in my lungs. That was why I had breathing problems,” she said.

Intan’s health continued to deteriorate and, at one point, she fell into a coma for several hours. Afterwards, she was referred to the Persahabatan Hospital in Jakarta.

“It was then that the doctors found that I didn’t have TB but stage-IV cancer in the lymph nodes,” she explained.

This is my spiritual journey to prove myself. It’s also for fundraising, so it’s deeply meaningful.

At one time, Intan was partially paralyzed. It took her around one year to learn to walk again and resume normal activities. After 26 chemotherapy sessions and five surgeries, Intan was declared to be in total remission on July 30. Total remission is the medical term referring to the total absence of cancer cells in the body of a former cancer patient.

Once healthy, Intan introduced herself to the Miles to Share community. Despite having no affinity for running prior to her sickness, Intan participated in 2019 Borobudur Marathon as her first running event.

“This is my spiritual journey to prove myself. It’s also for fundraising, so it’s deeply meaningful,” said Intan, who booked one hour 53 minutes and 54 seconds in the 10K category.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Ridwan, a cancer survivor, takes part in the 2019 Borobudur Marathon.

Helping other sufferers

Ridwan said he started feeling symptoms in July 2018 when he found a bump as large as a marble on his neck. Between December 2018 and April 2019, he underwent chemotherapy, during which he suffered from hair loss and weight loss from 55 kilograms to 45 kilograms. His latest exam shows that there is still a four-centimeter cancer cell in his body. Nevertheless, he feels much better nowadays as he no longer feels any soreness or breathing problems.

It was this that spurred him to join the Borobudur Marathon. Other than because he has been actively running since 2016, Ridwan is also motivated as he can join the run while helping other cancer sufferers.

“One year ago, I could not do anything, but today, God has enabled me to run. I can affect others’ lives through my running, so why not?” said Ridwan, who clocked in one hour, nine minutes and 23 seconds in the 10K category.

Since 2016, he has always spared time to do sports activities with friends at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) sports complex or on Car Free Day in Jakarta on Sunday mornings. He has also participated in the BPJS Fun Run, Milo Run, Oppo Selfie Run and Run for Education. Usually he chooses either 5K or 10K runs.

Meanwhile, Anita found out she had breast cancer in early 2015. At the time, the doctors told her that her cancer was already in stage III. Anita then picked up the courage to undergo breast removal surgery.

In 2017, Anita’s condition improved. However, it deteriorated again soon after.

“The doctor said there was a bit of swelling in the right part of my heart due to a lack of exercise. The doctor told me to exercise, such as running,” Anita said.

In this Borobudur Marathon, I ran to donate.

Slowly but surely, Anita ran routinely and felt herself getting better and better. She then joined the Running Is Our Therapy (RIOT) community in Makassar. Afterwards, she gained the courage to join running competitions.

Before joining the 2019 Borobudur Marathon, Anita had joined eight runs, namely five 10Ks and three half marathons. The 2019 Borobudur Marathon is Anita’s fourth half marathon, where she booked three hours, 49 minutes and 46 seconds.

“If my previous marathons were recreational, this time it’s a little bit different. In this Borobudur Marathon, I ran to donate,” Anita said.

To join the Borobudur Marathon, Anita prepared herself. She practiced running at least once a week and ensured that she ate and rested enough. Like in her previous runs, Anita was accompanied by several friends from her community.

In this year’s Borobudur Marathon, Anita was accompanied by two friends from RIOT Makassar. The two friends guided, monitored and motivated her to reach the finish line in good health. Anita said she hoped what she did could inspire other cancer survivors out there to not give up in the face of cancer.

Intan Khasanah

Born: Padang, Feb. 25, 1996

Education: Bachelor’s Degree, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia

Occupation: Employee, Kitabisa.com

Ridwan

Born: Banjarnegara, March 6, 1996

Education: SMA Muhammadiyah Banjarnegara high school (2014)

Anita Harti

Born: Makassar, March 26, 1987

Education: Dipanegara Informatics Management and Computer College, Makassar

Occupation: Employee, Bank Negara Indonesia – Makassar branch