Running Miles in Their Shoes: Wish Alum Christopher Campbell runs the New
Running Miles in Their Shoes: Wish Alum Christopher Campbell Represents Team Make-A-Wish in the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon
It has been 22 years since Wish alum Christopher Campbell was diagnosed, treated, and beat his brain tumor. Now, he hopes his resilience and strength will serve as an example to others who are being treated for critical illnesses.
"I am 100% cancer-free now. My only side effects are that I am short, have a little hearing loss, and can't ride a bike. My balance is a little off, but I can run."
Embracing his strengths, Christopher will be racing in the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon with Team Make-A-Wish to grant wishes for kids just like him.
On Your Marks, Get Set, Wish
Christopher’s wish journey began in 2001 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, Christopher wished to meet the New York Giants and his then idol, former running back Tiki Barber. Christopher was granted the MVP treatment, showing up to the game in a limo loaded with snacks, signed merchandise, and other goodies.
After the game, Christopher stood outside the clubhouse as the team left the locker room. One by one, players stopped to greet Christopher, but he asked every single one of them the same question: “Is Tiki in there?”
Eventually a player took him into the locker room, where he not only met his hero Tiki, but also got to see lockers from former football legends.
“It was amazing, I was speechless,” Christopher said.
A Different Kind of Nurse
Christopher’s perspective as a wish kid and a cancer survivor ignited an interest in becoming a full-time registered nurse himself.
It definitely makes me a different kind of nurse. It makes me appreciate it more,” Christopher said. “I know what it’s like in their shoes. I know how scary it is. Especially with cancer patients.”
Now, Christopher is expanding on that mindset. Not only is he walking in the shoes of his patients but running miles to raise money, grant wishes, and to support kids fighting critical illness – kids like him.
Running for Team Make-A-Wish
After a grueling time in nursing school and with a passion to give back, Christopher decided to challenge himself physically by training for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon.
His goal: to inspire current wish kids and cancer patients to rise above their illness. "I'm proud that I'm able to show people, yeah, I had cancer. But that is not going to stop me," he said.
For Christopher, this marathon serves as a full-circle moment.
“Hopefully by doing this, I can show wish kids all around the world that you can absolutely beat whatever you are going through and you can absolutely keep going. You can run a marathon.”