JOSH'S STORY

Joshua's story

For avid marathon runner and U.K. native Josh Vintner-Jackson, 2020 was an especially tough year: Mere months after he moved to Texas, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. And shortly afterward, what started as stomach pain revealed a stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis for Vintner-Jackson, just 28. 

“I wasn’t allowed to leave my apartment due to my weakened immune system,” Vintner-Jackson, now 31, says. “My family couldn’t be here, as they lived in the UK. It was not what I was anticipating my life looking like, by any stretch.”

After surgery to remove a tumor the size of a golf ball, Vintner-Jackson began a chemotherapy regimen with UT Health Austin’s Livestrong Cancer Institutes, part of the clinical practice of Dell Medical School based in Austin, Texas

Joshua receiving his first surgery and chemo treatment in 2020 from UT Health in Austin, Texas.

For someone like Vintner-Jackson, whose family was unable to visit during his six months of chemotherapy treatment due to covid restrictions, the connections with his care team became all the more meaningful. Frequent calls, texts and other points of contact — often just to check in — made a world of difference for his treatment and outlook.

When his chemotherapy came to an end last year, Vintner-Jackson dove back into his fitness pursuits — but this time, on a mission: In March 2022, Vintner-Jackson ran the Austin Half Marathon and completed his first CrossFit competition to raise over $5,000 for colorectal cancer research.

Miles Forward, One Step Back

'I thought my life was clear of cancer and then bang, they find it again. Now I have stage four and I am getting used to cancer being in my life for the foreseeable future. The regular checkups, the scans, the good news, the bad news, just waiting for any news at times. It all plays on your mind.'

Following a test this winter, Vintner-Jackson learned of lingering tumor DNA in his blood, indicating a high risk of recurrence, he is currently undergoing his fourth round of chemo with the wonderful team at McMillans in central London where he offers volenteer support to their younger patients helping them come to terms with the challenges they are facing.

“If someone has to go through what I’ve gone through, I hope they go through it with a team like mine, even outside the duty of care, there was a personal connection and level of attention that I’d want for a loved one in my situation. I can’t be too stressed about things that are out of my control, but I can work to help others receive this level of care.”

Joshua began laying the groundwork for Chat Cancer in the spring of 2024, organizing events like support group meetings and fundraising runs. Since then, Chat Cancer has formed its board of trustees and is working towards achieving charitable status. Once that’s complete, Joshua plans to further expand its operations and outreach.

Pre cancer Joshua was an avid ultra marathon runner and here he is competing in the Wadi Rum Ultra 2017 a gruelling five marathons in four days across the Jordanian desert which resulted in his team raising over £16,000 for Young Minds charity.