Student runs to benefit hospitals that helped him

Intermountain Catholic

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) Nicholas Mejia crosses the finish line in the Runner's North half-marathon for which he raised $1,100 to give back to the three hospitals that helped him recover from a brain tumor. Photo courtesy of Nick Mejia

LOGAN — Nicholas Mejia was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, but instead of feeling sorry for himself, he formed a non-profit organization collecting donations and training to run a half marathon to give back for his good fortune.

Mejia started having headaches about two years ago. "I also was throwing up and was sensitive to light so I went to Logan Regional Hospital," said Mejia, a member of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Hyde Park. "The same thing happened the next week, so the doctor ordered a cat scan and an MRI. The test results showed I had a brain tumor. The next day I met with my neurologist at McKay-Dee Hospital and had an angiogram on June 8, 2008, to find out exactly where the tumor was located."

Four days after the angiogram, Mejia had surgery at Ogden Regional Medical Center to remove the tumor. Because the tumor was located on a vein, it couldn’t be entirely removed, so Mejia had radiation.

"I have felt real well since then," he said. "My father drove me to Murray every day for a week for radiation treatments. I felt a little tired after having them, but would come home and go to work."

Mejia founded Miles for Miracles, a non-profit organization, to give back to the hospitals that helped him recover from his illness. He started collecting donations to participate in the Runner’s North half marathon in Smithfield in July.

"I placed 38th out of 160 qualifiers and was in the top 25 percent of the race," Mejia said. "I collected over $1,100 to divide among the three hospitals: Logan Regional Hospital, McKay-Dee Hospital and Ogden Regional Medical Center. Because Ogden Regional doesn’t take donations, I gave the money to St. Benedict’s Foundation, run by the Benedictine Sisters."

Benedictine Sister Stephanie Mongeon, Ogden Regional director of Mission Services and Community Relations, was the recipient of Mejia’s donation of $378.75. She will distribute the money to patients in need through the assistance fund at Ogden Regional.

"Nicholas is an extraordinary young man, so committed and self-motivated," Sr. Stephanie said. "We will use this donation to benefit those who can’t afford to pay for things like their medication. It doesn’t have to be a great deal of money, but it saves them from a catastrophic situation. With the cost of health care today, the working poor can’t afford their medical expenses. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to help them see hope."

Mejia will continue to raise money for his organization by competing in the Top of Utah, a marathon in Cache Valley on Sept. 17. Mejia started training in February to run 13 miles and is now training to run in the 26-mile marathon.

"Running has become a hobby and I’ve always liked helping people," Mejia said. "I am a junior at Utah State University and I plan to go into interdisciplinary studies because I want to do something where I can continue to help people. I’m majoring in public relations with a minor in sociology."