Retired Marine, cancer survivor in Colorado Springs completes 10-hour swim to celebrate remission [Video]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – A retired Marine and cancer survivor in southern Colorado swam for 10 hours straight Tuesday as part of a unique tradition celebrating his health.

Michael LaBarge, a retired Marine, said he was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme–grade IV brain cancer–21 years ago on April 2. He’s been in remission for a while now, and tells 11 News he swims for 10 hours on the anniversary to celebrate that.

“The prognosis was 2 weeks to 10 months… 21 years ago,” he told 11 News when our crews spoke with him more than halfway through his swim. “I did this a lot in the Marines. [Today,] I started at 6 a.m., stopping at 4 p.m.”

He completed his swim at the US Air Force Academy’s Community Pool, where the staff said LaBarge swims regularly.

“Former Marine… you know, he beat brain cancer so everything is possible for him,” …