Retired Marine and cancer survivor celebrates remission with 10-hour swim [Video]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV/Gray News) – A retired Marine and cancer survivor in Colorado celebrates the anniversary of his remission with a feat he picked up during his service.

Michael LaBarge said he was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, grade IV brain cancer, 21 years ago on April 2.

LaBarge said he has been in remission for a while and that he swims for 10 hours on the anniversary to celebrate it.

“The prognosis was two weeks to 10 months … 21 years ago,” he told KKTV. “I did this a lot in the Marines. [Today,] I started at 6 a.m., stopping at 4 p.m.”

He completed his swim this year at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Community Pool in Colorado Springs.

Chris Gesterling, the USAFA Pool Aquatics Manager, said he often sees LaBarge at the pool, and his story of surviving cancer is inspiring.

“Former Marine … you know, he beat brain cancer …