APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An Appleton firefighter is trying to break a Guinness world record while raising awareness and money for post 9/11 veterans with cancer.
Marine Corps veteran and Appleton firefighter, Cory Asimus, likes a challenge. He says, “I’ve run marathons, Ironman and stuff like that.”
And now he’s training to run the Fox Cities Marathon, on September 17, with a hundred-pound ruck pack on his back.
“Thought the addition of the weight would be a real good challenge. And now it’s grown into something pretty big,” says Asimus.
The run in September isn’t just about breaking the world record of five hours and three minutes. Asimus is running with a much bigger purpose. He says, “As a veteran myself, I see my friends now co-workers getting these late diagnoses and outcomes aren’t always that great.”
It was last fall when Appleton Police Officer Dominic Hall, a veteran, died from combat related cancer.
And last summer, Appleton firefighter Keegan Murphy was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, attributed to his service overseas. He’s currently winning his battle.
Asimus is strapping on the hundred-pound ruck to honor his public service brothers and sisters while also raising money for the Project Vaspire316.
Created by Dominic Hall’s widow, Jacole, Vaspire316 helps to raise funds for Veteran families diagnosed with cancer or other rare diseases from toxic exposures. Money will also be used to help pay for cancer screenings for veteran employees in Appleton, something the fire department and police department teamed up to start earlier this year.
According to Asimus, “The support I’ve gotten from the Fire Department, the community right now and just working with Jacole and Keegan and everyone just to help raise awareness for veterans, it’s really awesome.”
Asimus isn’t alone in his challenge. He’s got a team of co-workers helping him train, understanding the impact and importance of what strapping on the ruck means.
“By collecting donations, he is by proxy saving lives because these early cancer screenings give our veterans who have chosen to serve in the military but also continue to serve as police and firefighters afterwards, their best fighting chance should they be diagnosed with a cancer by catching it early,” adds Battalion Chief Joe Kozikowski.
