Willard, Mo. student's cancer journey inspires school resource officer to run 100-mile race again

WILLARD, Mo. (KY3) – A school resource officer from Willard Schools is preparing for a 100-mile race that will involve a powerful mission. It’s all behind his fight to beat childhood cancer.

“I promised him I would drive 100 miles for him, and that’s what I plan on doing,” Willard School Resource Officer Matt Farmer said.

Officer Farmer is tying his shoes not only for the race ahead, but also for a student who fought cancer and won.

At a young age, Joseph Benjamin battled stage 3 soft tissue cancer, which kept him out of school for about a year and a half. That’s when he met Farmer, sparking a little hope for his future.

“His wife is Mrs. Farmer. She was my teacher the whole time I had to leave third and fourth grade because of my illness,” said Joseph Benjamin, a cancer survivor.

Farmer and Benjamin established a long-term relationship. The farmer even supported Benjamin the day he rang the bell, signaling that he had beaten cancer.

“It really made me feel supported and really gave me hope that I would get better,” Benjamin said.

In 2017, Farmer decided to enter the Snowdrop Ultra 55 race, a race dedicated to giving hope to children with cancer. But before he could reach the finish line, tragedy struck Farmer at mile 79, leaving him with a leg injury that would take him out of the race.

“It was heartbreaking because I know what he struggled with and overcame, but I couldn’t get over it,” Farmer says.

Now the resource officer is preparing to compete in the 100-mile race again for the Willard High School senior. “I’m going to come back and do everything I can to get over that line.”

“I really hope he can make it this time, not just for the race but for himself,” Willard senior said.

The race will take place in Texas starting December 30. The last time Farmer ran, he raised $4,000 for pediatric cancer research.

For more detailed information about the Snowdrop Ultra 55 Race, CLICK HERE.

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