Mission complete

Dr. Ebbie Shearer Jackson ran what was probably one of the most challenging races of her life, considering what she was doing it for – her final marathon of 2023 which wrapped up a year-long goal to raise $60,000 to share between two organizations – Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group and MD Patient Navigation Organization – groups that provide support and services to patients diagnosed with cancer, and those who have survived cancer.

She made a commitment to run several major marathons and smaller races during 2023, with the goal of raising monies for the two groups, by way of donations.

Jackson raised about $29,000 which she said was disbursed to the organizations over the course of the year.

She was satisfied with what she was able to accomplish.

“It was a good attempt. I’m happy that they were able to get some money – especially MD Patient Navigation Organization,” said Jackson.

The initiative was not random. Jackson specifically wanted to raise funds to assist the cancer organization because cancer has impacted her.

She knows what it’s like to be diagnosed with cancer, and go through the harsh realities of treatment to get to the other side. She is a 14-year breast cancer “overcomer” who is six years cancer-free.

Then there’s the fact that five of eight people in her immediate family have battled a cancer.

Her mother died from breast cancer. Her father was treated for prostate cancer. Her eldest brother died from brain cancer. Her youngest brother is battling colon cancer.

Jackson was the first person in her family to test positive for the BRCA 1 gene.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, normally, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes protect a person from getting certain cancers, but some mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes prevent them from working properly, so that if a person inherits one of the mutations, they are more likely to get breast, ovarian, and other cancers.

“I said if I would raise money, it would be for cancer. But I have always been involved in mission and providing assistance to others,” she said.

Over the course of 2023, Jackson ran various marathons and half marathons with the goal of raising $60,000 – a number she arrived at because she was celebrating her 60th milestone.

The optometrist, completed the North Pole Challenge in Greenland in October 2023 ahead of the celebration of her birthday in November 2023.

She also runs with only one lung. After undergoing cancer treatment, she had to rebuild her lung capacity which she said required years of training and development to endure marathon running.

“I pushed my body to the max,” she said of her preparation to run. I have to push harder, work out harder to have oxygen capacity,” she said.

Jackson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. She ran her first marathon two weeks before commencing chemotherapy, and has been running ever since.

Her advice to others is to never give up.

“I’m doing what I’m doing with my impediment. As long as you’re alive and well, find something to do and do it.”

She encourages others to manage their health with exercise and healthy eating habits.

“Do not wait until you become ill to exercise; make it a part of your daily lifestyle in case you become challenged with your health,” she says.

Running, the cancer-survivor said has definitely played a role in her recovery.

Her book, “A Marathon Runner’s Triumph Over Cancer: The Ebbie Jackson Story” details her cancer journey. It can be purchased at Palmdale Vision Centre or amazon.com.

It was 14 years ago in October as Jackson trained for her first half marathon that she said she felt a “bearing down” as she ran. After completing the race and preparing for her first full marathon, she again felt a pressure. She decided she needed to see a doctor. She was given the all-clear.

Two weeks later she had trouble raising her right hand. When she looked, she saw an enlarged vein. Knowing her family history, she recalled saying to herself that she hoped it was not cancer, and just inflammation.

Her mammogram result was normal. Jackson spoke to the radiologist about her family history, the technician requested an ultrasound which she took and which showed a large mass in her right breast. She was then asked to do an MRI for a definitive answer. It showed that her entire right breast was a tumor and she needed surgery.

She tested positive at stage three breast cancer.

Jackson now counts herself among the many breast cancer “overcomers” and looks to assist whenever and wherever she can.

While at the North Pole Challenge, which is described as the world’s coolest marathon, and the running experience of a lifetime, Jackson was able to gain entrance into Antarctica Marathon which was run in the South Pole in Antarctica in March 2024.

While at the Antarctica Marathon, Jackson met fellow Bahamian, Neville Wilson who lives in Atlanta, who had traveled to the race, thinking he would be the first Bahamian to run the marathon. Wilson, she said, was excited that The Bahamas would have a two-person representation. They were both pleasantly surprised to find out that they were both graduates of St. Anne’s Anglican School.

She said a highlight for her also, was meeting an 89-year-old male runner who started running marathons 10 years ago.

To date, Jackson has ran over 20 marathons and several half marathons, around the world, with her husband, Theodore Jackson.

As for her runs in the North and South Poles, Jackson said the two areas were similar in terrain and climate.

“They both have large snowy mountains, huge icebergs, cold and snow most of the time, however the North Pole is habitable whereas the South Pole is not.”

The South Pole, is the largest preserved continent in the world and the protocols for running in that region are strict.

In Antarctica, you can experience four seasons in one day. March is considered the end of summer on the continent.

During her South Pole run, Jackson ran through cold temperatures, snow and icy conditions. Participants that ran the week before she arrived, dealt with mud and melting snow.

“It became so dangerous that we were given ice poles to aid in running up and down the mountains during the race,” she said.

Jackson said traveling to the Arctic was easier for her than traveling to Antarctica. She travelled to Greenland to arrive at the Arctic Pole. To get to Antarctica she had to cross the Drake Passage which is considered one of the most treacherous voyages for ships to make.

She had to prepare herself for the “Drake Shake.”

“The expedition boat used for the crossing was no match for that body of water as more than half of the runners experienced motion sickness and had to use patches and medicines to survive the crossing,” said Jackson. “The boat was tossed back and forth for two full days of travel, and trying to walk onboard the ship became extremely difficult as most of the runners had to take bed to endure the travel. Fortunately for me, I did not experience any motion sickness, however I staggered like a drunken person while trying to walk onboard during the Drake Passage crossing.”