Milwaukee-area resident Joe Dean completed the Arrowhead 135 Winter Ultra in January, just one year after being diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer following a failed attempt at the same race. Dean’s journey began in January 2024 during the Arrowhead 135, a grueling bike race in International Falls, Minnesota. Severe vomiting forced him to stop near the first checkpoint.
After returning home to Milwaukee, Dean experienced intense abdominal pain and went to Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital – Milwaukee. There, he learned he had stage 3 colorectal cancer and that his symptoms during the race were caused by internal bleeding.
“I initially felt sadness. I thought, ‘Am I going to die in a few weeks?’” Dean said. “I was trying to figure out why this happened. Then sadness turned to anger, and anger turned to determination.”
Dean underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital – Ozaukee. Samantha Egerer, an oncology nurse navigator at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s – Ozaukee, said: “As Joe’s nurse navigator, I helped coordinate his treatment… It was inspirational working with him and getting to watch his determination throughout his cancer treatment process. He never gave up.” With support from family and friends as well as medical staff, Dean completed chemotherapy and was cleared by his oncologist for another attempt at the Arrowhead 135.
“It was just months after chemo,” Dean said of returning for the race in January 2025. “Failing the race led me to my diagnosis. I felt determined to finish it and prove cancer wouldn’t control my life.”
Dean trained for two months before competing again in International Falls one year later: “It was probably the most difficult physical thing I’ve ever done,” he said of finishing this time around.
At the finish line, volunteers—including other cancer survivors—greeted him with applause as he received the Spirit of the Arrowhead award for perseverance and chose to support a local charity helping patients access treatment.
Looking ahead, Dean plans on racing again or volunteering at future events: “I want to thank my entire cancer care team at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Milwaukee and Ozaukee Hospitals – my surgeon, my doctors, nurses and occupational therapist,” he said. “They saved my life and helped me finish the race… both in my cancer journey and on the course.”
Dean’s story has also been featured on FOX6.
