June 2 is National Cancer Survivors Day, a day to recognize cancer survivors, to raise awareness of the ongoing challenges cancer survivors face because of their disease, and – most importantly – to celebrate life.
Growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina, Thomas Jackson has always been an avid outdoorsman. After a visit to Montana to see his brother, who moved to Bozeman in 2014, Thomas too was sold on making the move. One day, his brother noticed a mole on the back of Thomas’s neck and jokingly encouraged him to get the unsightly blemish removed.
At the time, nobody was thinking “cancer”, not even Thomas himself. While Thomas wasn’t particularly concerned, he decided to take a more proactive approach to— what he thought was a relentless pimple—and have it removed and biopsied by his neighborhood skin care clinic.
And it’s a good thing he did because days later Thomas received news that the seemingly innocuous pimple was in fact melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. He was told it was at stage 3 and surgery would need to take place immediately. He was 31 years old.
Fast forward three surgeries to remove dozens of lymph nodes, followed by months of radiation treatment, Thomas was declared cancer-free in May 2022.
His cancer journey was shared through a patient video story at Bozeman Health Foundation’s Hospitality Gala held on April 27 in support of Bozeman Health Cancer Center and local cancer care. Following the video, Thomas spoke at the podium to more than 500 attendees about being a cancer survivor.
“I have to remind myself that public speaking has nothing on fighting cancer,” Thomas said facetiously to gala attendees, an attempt to shake his nerves. “You see, the team at Bozeman Health Cancer Center saved my life,” he continued. “I wouldn’t have wanted to experience this detour in life anywhere else or with any other people by my side.”
After a pause and deep breath, Thomas said “I would go to the infusion room at the Cancer Center, and I swear that room was filled with angels.”
Thomas concluded his speech sharing how the outdoors has remained pivotal throughout his cancer journey.
“I realized I wanted to participate in this battle as much as possible. And that’s what I want other people to realize: do what you are capable of at that time, even if it’s just going out to lay in the grass. Just get outside and do that. There are moments of solace you find there.”
