Photo By Sgt. Michael Thorn | Participants run and walk during the 65 Miles for 65 Roses event at Mission Bay Park...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO – More than a decade ago, Maj. Jesse Sjoberg vowed to spend the rest of his life with the woman he loves, Jacquelyn Sjoberg, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health.” Those words mean more to the Sjobergs than most, as Jacquelyn battles the life-threatening illness, cystic fibrosis.
This condition affects one percent of people around the world and limits the victim’s life expectancy to their mid-30s. People who fight this disease struggle to breath due to mucus that constantly flows through their lungs.
In dedication to his wife, Sjoberg started the 65 Miles for 65 Roses run in support of cystic fibrosis research. The event started in Manama, Bahrain three years ago, where Sjoberg served on deployment. Despite being away from home, his love for his wife drove him to raise awareness and financial support for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
This year, the event was held at Mission Bay Park in San Diego, Calif., Oct. 12.
“She’s why I do this,” said Sjoberg. “I struggle to breath for 12-13 hours in this endeavor. Jacqui fights to breathe every day – even on her best days. The comparison is hardly fair.”
Jacquelyn Sjoberg struggles through her daily life, having to medicate herself constantly and receiving morbid diagnoses from doctors.
“At first, doctors said adulthood wasn’t even considered,” said Jacquelyn Sjoberg. “My life expectancy was 16.”
During the event, the Sjobergs urged participants to do more than they expected to during the run. Participants that came out ran, walked and cycled to show their support for the cause.
“It’s really sad to learn how cystic fibrosis effects those who have the disease,” said Michelle Lizarraga, one of the participants at the event. “It’s a great thing to see people come out and spread the word and show their support in any way they can.”
The name of the event, 65 Miles for 65 Roses, may not sound like it has anything to do with cystic fibrosis, but it actually holds a deeper meaning than it seems.
“Kids can’t say cystic fibrosis correctly, so they say it ‘65 roses’,” said Ayden Sjoberg, the couple’s 6-year-old son.
The event brought in more than $21,000 in donations for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This year will definitely not be the last for the 65 Miles for 65 Roses, added Jesse Sjoberg.
“I’m going to keep doing this until my body just won’t let me do it anymore, or we find a cure,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 10.12.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.15.2013 19:22 |
| Story ID: | 115177 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 235 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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