Image: Jayden Lee / Chilliwack resident Jayden Lee is pictured after his run from Vancouver to Chilliwack in 2021 during "Jayden's Run," an event that raised over $100,000 for BC Children's Hospital. While Lee wrapped up chemo some five years ago in 2018, he will undergo his final checkup on Friday, October 6 and embark on an epic run of 100 miles, or 161 kilometres, from BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver to Chilliwack, to raise funds for the hospital. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack realtor Jayden Lee

After his final cancer checkup, Chilliwack’s Jayden Lee to run from Vancouver to Chilliwack Friday

Oct 5, 2023 | 12:27 PM

CHILLIWACK — As wild as it sounds, getting diagnosed with cancer was one of the best things that could have happened to Chilliwack resident Jayden Lee, a local real estate agent for just under six years.

Nearly nine years ago, Lee was diagnosed with leukemia, which began a journey of 3 1/2 years with cancer. While Lee wrapped up chemo some five years ago in 2018, he will undergo his final checkup on Friday, October 6 and embark on an epic run of 100 miles, or 161 kilometres, from BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver to Chilliwack.

“On January 28, 2015, I was diagnosed with leukemia, and started my 3.5-year long journey with cancer,” Lee said. “As crazy as it sounds, the diagnosis was the best thing that could have happened to me. It gave me a new appreciation for life, shaping me into who I am today. After finishing chemo in 2018, I knew I had to give back to BC Children’s Hospital.”

To celebrate the milestone, Lee hopes to raise $150,000 for BC Children’s Hospital with his run. As of Thursday afternoon, he’s raised $20,418 from the generosity of 132 supporters.

It won’t be the first time Lee has faced a challenge head-on. When his mom suddenly passed away in 2020, he fell into a rut and needed something to get him moving.

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“I needed a goal to overcome the mental rut I was in,” he said. “All starting from a joke from a friend, Jayden’s Run was born. On October 2, 2021, I held a fundraiser, ran from Chilliwack to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, and with unbelievable support I was able to raise over $125,000! What I learned from Jayden’s Run in 2021 was that it was more than just a long run or raising money; it was about giving sick kids at BC Children’s Hospital hope, hope that things do get better.”

Image: Jayden Lee / Chilliwack realtor Jayden Lee participates in Jayden’s Run in October 2021, an event that raised over $125,000 for BC Children’s Hospital.

His emotional high from completing Jayden’s Run soon turned to mourning when a close friend, Chilliwack realtor Aaron Tschritter, died in November 2021 in Texas after the vehicle he was in hit a pole. Lee was there in the US with Tschritter before the tragic car accident.

“After that run, life took another unexpected turn a month later when one of my best friends passed away in a car accident on a trip we were on together and I found myself at rock bottom again,” Lee said. “Two years later, it feels like the time is right to do something special again.”

Lee says he’s running with plenty of motivation given his own journey through leukemia and the loss of his mom and friend.

“It’s to celebrate my journey, honor my mom, remember my friend Aaron, and to continue to show the kids at BC Children’s that tough times don’t last forever, tough people do,” Lee said. “To stay humble in the highs of life, and hopeful in the lows. Your support can make a huge impact for the hospital by reaching our goal of raising $150,000! ”

He plans to arrive at Century 21 Creekside, located at 45428 Luckakuck in Chilliwack, sometime around 6 p.m. Saturday. He intends to run continuously starting at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon and take breaks of up to 30 minutes, accompanied by a police escort, an ambulance, a motorhome and two other support vehicles. He’ll need to do a 50k loop around Chilliwack before making his way to Century 21.

Image: Jayden Lee / Jayden Lee speaks to a crowd of supporters after his run from Vancouver to Chilliwack concluded at the Century 21 Creekside office on Luckakuck Way.

“It’s going to be quite a production,” Lee said. “This is closing out a life-changing chapter in my life. BC Children’s Hospital is such a special place for so many families.”

People can support Jayden Lee here.