When Japanese Michio Endo was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008, he was expected die in between six and 18 months.
But his Samurai spirit took over and he immediately changed his diet to become a healthy vegetarian and started exercising and walking wherever he could.
He has since also survived stomach and bladder cancer and will tomorrow attempt to walk the Malta marathon.
Mr Endo, who turned 80 last November, believes he has to live for his brother, who died from cancer when he was aged 71, the same age Mr Endo was when he received his first diagnosis.“
“I took my operation at 71 years old, the same age my brother was when he died from the same cancer. He went to heaven in my place so I must live for him,” he said with determination.
“I firmly believe it is important to have willpower, physical strength and courage to win three cancers. When physical strength declines, willpower declines and the courage to fight will be lost. Immunity will also decline leading to recurrence and metastasis,” he said.
The Japanese, whose relationship with Malta started in 1985 when he was appointed Air Malta’s representative in Japan, has since made Malta his second home - and he visits regularly.
Back then he had to start promoting Malta, which was totally unknown in Japan, from scratch.
“There were no Japanese living in Malta, no Japanese tourists, no Japanese restaurants… But now Malta has totally changed. It is regarded as a major tourist destination in Japan… More than 100 Japanese girls are married to Maltese boys, there are nine Japanese restaurants and more than 20,000 Japanese tourists visit Malta each year.”
With this year’s marathon, Mr Endo wants to celebrate his 80th birthday, which was last November, and life.
“95 per cent of pancreas cancer patients die in between six months to a year-and-a-half. Only 4.9 per cent live more than five years… Nine years later, I am still alive. My brother was not so lucky.”
His message to readers is to keep fighting, whatever the circumstances.
Tomorrow’s will be Mr Endo’s second Malta marathon. His first was a year-and-a-half after his diagnoses. He has knee problems and does not know whether he will be able to walk through the 21 kilometres.
“But I will do my best to keep walking. Please wish me luck.”
The Vodafone Malta marathon is being held tomorrow.