Good Age: He beat back 2 aggressive cancers and is 'living proof' for Pan-Mass Challenge

QUINCY − A year and a half ago, Jim Evans was a healthy 67-year-old retiree who exercised every day, ate sensibly, had never smoked and lived a comfortable, happy life in his home near Wollaston Beach, with family and friends nearby.

Then, after a diagnostic medical test, the bottom fell out of his world.

From January to May 2022, Evans was treated for two types of cancer (esophageal and stomach). He underwent 28 radiation and 10 chemotherapy treatments and two surgeries, lived for four months on a feeding tube, was hospitalized 11 nights and had four emergency room visits. Left with no stomach, he had to relearn how to eat.

"Right after the two surgeries was a tough, tough stretch for me," he said. "My family, friends, neighbors − their prayers and my own fitness were huge. When I was diagnosed, I went to my neighbors, told them what was going on. And my classmates from Archbishop Williams High (1973) were fantastic.

"It was rough. But with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an army of support, we defeated the monsters. I dodged a bomb. I feel blessed and humbled to have survived. "

I met Jim in the 1990s on cycling outings with the Appalachian Mountain Club. He was living in Duxbury and worked as a FedEx courier on the South Shore. He was a strong rider, a former semi-pro basketball player, friendly, cheerful, helpful.

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In 2009, I wrote a column about how at age 55, Jim rode in the 100-mile Dempsey Challenge cycling event in Maine to raise money for cancer research.

"Sue, I’m coming out of retirement, back in the saddle,” he emailed. “I never thought I’d be cycling long distances again, but I am doing it for Mike."

His longtime friend Mike Wilson had died of colon cancer. He and Mike had gone to college together and "Mike helped me get my job and we worked together for 24 years," Jim said. "I was there when he went on his first date with Debbie, knew their kids since babies."

Last fall, Jim learned that Mike's widow, Debra Wilson, of Braintree, and another friend, Loretta Fillios, had both died of cancer. A few weeks ago, Jim emailed: "No more biking for me, but I am volunteering at the Pan-Mass Challenge this year. I will be on a team called Living Proof.

"I am living proof that the money raised by the Pan-Mass Challenge is working. I am a cancer survivor. Things looked grim for me at one point, but I made it, somehow."

Anything he can do to help "fight the monster" is now his priority.

He asked Karen Bryant, of Houghs Neck, a retired minister, "Why am I the lucky one? Is there a purpose? Am I supposed to do something?"

"You are here to inspire people!" she replied.

After his initial treatments, his oncologist Dr. Deepak Chander recommended four more chemotherapy treatments for a "death blow − a full-court press to the monsters. He said even if I could handle just one treatment, it would help. I did the four. Chemo is tough."

He calls his four cancer doctors − Chandler and Drs. John Wee, Laura Warren and Jiping Wang − "my Mount Rushmore."

If Jim were to write a book about his ordeal, his title would be "The Ultimate Challenge." Treatment took all his physical and mental strength and "challenged me to the max. My whole belief system was tested."

He held the inner conviction that he should "never give up" and should always "do your best." When he thought of quitting, he told himself, "There's always someone worse off," and if others could do it, he could do it.

He said he believes that all the prayers offered and candles lit for him by family and friends in this country, Ireland and Spain helped.

The Pan-Mass Challenge is a fundraising bike-a-thon started in 1980 by Billy Starr to benefit the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. It raises more money than any other single athletic fundraiser in the country. The 2023 goal is $70 million.

The Living Proof community is made up of riders and volunteers who were treated or are undergoing treatment for cancer. Last year, there were more than 950 Living Proof participants.

"My family was huge for me," Jim said. His sister, Maureen Schnur, of Framingham, a nurse, came to stay with him when he moved back to their 95-year-old mother's house in Wollaston during the toughest treatment times.

"I don't know how people with cancer do it if they don't have a nurse in the family," he said.

His other sister, Patricia Wolongevicz, of Hanover, and his brother Bob and his wife, Mary, were also big supporters.

Jim is extremely grateful for the Staystrong wellness program of the South Shore YMCA and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It gives cancer patients and three of their caregivers free membership at the Ys in Quincy and Hanover for one year as they rebuild their bodies and follow healthy lifestyles.

A soft-spoken man, Jim loves his home overlooking 10 acres of marshland near Wollaston Beach. It is beautiful and peaceful, changing with the light, and the egrets are coming back soon.

For others confronting cancer, he says, "I recommend, 'Ask for help and people will answer your call. They will rally around and help you.' "

A drum roll for George Washington Toma

Readers enjoyed the May 30 story about the late George Washington Toma, who founded his TV and appliance store in Weymouth in 1953. The business just celebrated its 70th anniversary and many people hold fond memories of the role those washers, dryers, stoves and dishwashers played in family life growing up.

From Wayne Miller, of Hingham, who grew up in Quincy: "My mother bought all her appliances from GW. Their service was the best. When Ellen and I moved to MA in 2016, we remodeled the kitchen so we needed four new appliances. Turns out the salesman there was an old family friend who I knew from the 1960s. The service was even better. Ellen and I enjoyed your story a lot!"

And Susan Trausch, also of Hingham, suggests the magic continues: "Loved your piece and love the Tomas!  Every appliance in our house is from their store!"

Reach Sue Scheible at sscheible@patriotledger.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Quincy's Jim Evans beat two cancers