Relay for Life Honorary Survivor of Hope ‘fights the fight’
Ramona resident and cancer survivor Justin Sturgeon is American Cancer Society Ramona Relay for Life’s 2015 Honorary Survivor of Hope.
The 24-hour relay walk will start on Saturday, April 11, at 8 a.m. at Wilson Field off 720 Ninth St.
“Be the Hope” is the theme of this year’s Ramona Relay for Life, and Justin Sturgeon represents hope in our community, say event organizers — although it has not been an easy road.
Born and raised in Ramona, Sturgeon is the oldest of four children in his family. He graduated Ramona High School in 1992 after playing Bulldog baseball and working as the San Diego Padres Bat Boy in his senior year.
He went on to serve in the U.S. Army for five years and returned to earn a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design in 2003. He chose Ramona to raise his two sons — Grayson and Garin — now age 8 and 10, while he enjoyed family and friends and actively participated in Ramona sports.
In December 2010, life changed when Sturgeon was woken abruptly at home by a seizure. By February 2011, he was diagnosed with Astrocytoma, a form of brain cancer.
A four-year treatment followed as he fought cancer with medical treatment and received the love and support of his family and faith and the Ramona community, most notably Ramona Pony Baseball and Ramona soccer along with old and new friends he met on his journey.
He became actively involved in Ramona Relay for Life in 2014.
Sturgeon has a lot of energy and is quick to smile or laugh. When asked how he was doing, he blessed himself with the sign of the cross and said, “For today, I am healthy.”
He enjoys his family and friends and is a devoted father guiding his two sons who play on Ramona youth baseball and basketball teams while he also heads up the Barnett Elementary Running Club.
His definition of “Be the Hope” is: “It’s family, faith, friends and being connected to the community and people living the moments more. Be friendly to strangers and let people know they are important. It’s the little things in life that make a difference.”
This translates to “life is a gift.” Life is a struggle for those with cancer, but we fight, agree Relay for Life supporters.
The community is invited to join Sturgeon and all who “fight the fight” at the 2015 Ramona Relay for Life Survivor Walk on April 11 at 8 a.m.
Heather McGhee is marketing chair for the 2015 Ramona Relay for Life.