On the morning of June 28th, Shawn Siemers’ life took a sudden and unexpected turn. “The morning of June 28th hit me like a freight train. My phone rang. It was my doctor. ‘The biopsy shows you have cancer.'” What was thought to be a simple cyst turned out to be something much more sinister. “It wasn’t just cancer. It was a pilomatrix carcinoma. Rare as hell. Aggressive as a rabid dog.” With only 121 recorded cases ever, this diagnosis sent shockwaves through Shawn’s life, leaving him stunned and grappling with disbelief.

Despite his healthy lifestyle—running 40 miles a week and maintaining a balanced diet—Shawn found himself facing a battle he never expected. As thoughts of his wife, who had lost her father to skin cancer, filled his mind, he felt a surge of anger and determination. “No way in hell skin cancer’s taking me out,” he resolved, ready to face the fight ahead. On August 23rd, he underwent surgery, where a 20cm x 4cm chunk of his hip was removed. “My surgeon was a badass. Let me pick the music. We jammed to Metallica and AC/DC while she cut me open,” he recounted, finding moments of levity even in the darkest of times.

This experience, though harrowing, brought Shawn a profound shift in perspective. The once-control freak now understood what truly mattered: his wife, his runners, and the people in his life. “Cancer’s a hell of a teacher. It taught me life’s a gift. Running’s a gift. The people in my life are gifts,” he reflected. As he prepares for the next steps in his battle, including radiation, Shawn is determined to live each day fully. His advice to others is simple: “Stop stressing over your team’s performance. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop wishing your life would change. Enjoy where you are now. Who you are now. The people around you.” With a renewed sense of purpose, he is embracing life’s precious moments with everything he has. “F*ck cancer. Live now.”

The track and field community has come together to send heartfelt wishes and messages of strength to their beloved coach as he battles cancer. With words of encouragement and get-well-soon notes flooding in, they stand united, offering their unwavering support during this challenging time.

Track and field community unites with heartfelt messages for the coach

Messages of support are pouring in for the coach, and one fan summed it up perfectly with, “You’re so freaking tough, you dang Warrior!” This shout-out really captures the coach’s fierce determination and the respect everyone has for him. The term “Warrior” is all about celebrating his incredible strength and grit as he faces this tough battle.

Another fan sent a boost of encouragement with, “You have not lost, sir. You will dominate this race!!!” Shawn Siemers fired back with his trademark resolve: “Yes sir! The game is over when I say it’s over.” His response radiated an unshakable determination, underscoring his belief that he controls his own fate, no matter the obstacles ahead.

One user reached out with a touching comment: “Sorry you have to deal with cancer. Thank you for sharing. It is eye-opening to see that anyone can suffer from health issues when they are considered ‘a healthy individual.’” This heartfelt message captured the profound impact of the coach’s story, revealing how even those who seem invincible can face unexpected struggles. It’s a reminder that we’re all vulnerable, no matter how strong or healthy we appear on the outside.