Ever run a half-marathon? How about 58 of them? Jack Buckley is taking on the challenge of a lifetime in his mum’s name. Photo: The Stroke Foundation.
In the early hours of a February morning, Wollongong man Jack Buckley got a call that changed his life.
His mum Keryn, a fit, healthy 58-year-old had suffered a devastating stroke in her sleep.
She was flown from her home in Taree to John Hunter Hospital, but nothing could be done.
A massive clot had torn through one of the main arteries to her brain.
Jack and his sister stayed by their mum’s side in the ICU for three days before they had to make the unimaginable decision to turn off Keryn’s life support.
“There’s no words for it,” Jack said.
“She was on life support and the medical teams said the clot was too large and too far gone to do anything.
“We felt helpless.”
Jack’s taken that feeling of helplessness and turned it into a powerful motivator.
Beginning in August he will run 58 half-marathons in 58 days to raise money for stroke research and stroke survivors.
It’s a half-marathon for every day of his beloved mum’s life.
“I leant on Mum all my life,” Jack said.
“I don’t have a favourite memory with her because every moment with Mum was my favourite.
“She was a tough, selfless woman who gave to everyone else. She supported me in everything I did.
“Mum would probably tell me I’m an idiot for doing this – and then support me no matter what.”
Jack Buckley with his beloved mum, Keryn. Photo: The Stroke Foundation.
Every 11 minutes someone in Australia will have a stroke; it may prove fatal, or they may survive but suffer debilitating effects.
The Stroke Foundation helps support stroke survivors, raise awareness of the signs of stroke, and funds stroke research.
Jack hopes his marathon effort will raise $20,000 for the cause in his mum’s name.
He said running had helped him cope with his loss.
Now he wants his effort to stand as a legacy of his mum’s lifelong generosity.
It’s one of many important lessons she taught him.
“There are still days when it’s hard but the wheels of life keep turning and there’s no point whinging,” he said.
“I’m a lot more affectionate now; I’m kinder to people and more loving. Life is so fragile.
“I’ve had survivors reach out and tell me their story and it gives me more drive.
“I wish no one had to sit beside someone they love in ICU and I want to help prevent other people going through that.”
A stroke is always an emergency, even if the initial effects seem mild. The longer it is left untreated the more likely the victim will suffer permanent brain damage.
Onset is often sudden, and can happen to people who are otherwise perfectly healthy.
Facial weakness, including a drooping mouth, arm weakness, dizziness, sudden severe headache and loss of vision are all common signs of stroke.
Time makes all the difference – if you suspect you or someone you love is having a stroke call triple zero immediately.
Jack’s epic effort along Wollongong’s coastal tracks kicks off on 10 August, and he will run until 6 October.
He said the best part of his journey to complete 58 marathons in 58 days was the support from his community.
His employer, Struddy’s Apparel, has given him shorter shifts so Jack can squeeze in some recovery times around his runs, and physios at Evolve Health Illawarra have helped him get his body in tip-top condition ahead of the mammoth task.
“People are leaning over backwards to try and help,” Jack said.
“I’m very lucky and very grateful. There are awesome people out there.”
To donate or follow Jack’s journey, head to his fundraising page or his Instagram.
