Willard, Mo. student's cancer journey inspired school employee to run 100-mile race again

WILLARD, Mo. (KY3) – A Willard Schools school employee prepares for a 100-mile race fueled by a powerful mission. It’s all behind the fight to beat childhood cancer.

“I promised him I would go 100 miles for him, and I plan to do just that,” said Matt Farmer, Willard School resource officer.

Officer Farmer dons his boots not only for the upcoming race, but also for a student who fought and won his battle against cancer.

At a young age, Joseph Benjamin battled a stage 3 soft tissue cancer that forced him to miss school for almost a year and a half. Then he met Farmer, which sparked some hope for his future.

‘His wife, Miss Farmer. She was my mentor when I was out of third and fourth grade due to my illness,” said Joseph Benjamin, a cancer survivor.

Boer and Benjamin built a long-term relationship. Boer even supported Benjamin on the day he rang the doorbell, indicating that he had defeated cancer.

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

In 2017, Farmer decided to participate in the Snowdrop Ultra 55 race, a race aimed at bringing hope to children with cancer. But before he reached the finish line, disaster struck Farmer at mile 79, causing him to suffer a leg injury that forced him out of the race.

Farmer says, “It was heartbreaking because I know what he fought through, and he got through it, and I didn’t get through that.”

Now the resource officer is once again preparing for the 100-mile race for the now senior student at Willard High School. “I’m going back and doing everything I can to cross that line.”

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

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

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

If you would like to report a correction or typo, please send an email [email protected]. Please include the item information in the subject line of the email.