Just months ago, Capt. Justin Fitch was marching for miles at a time with an 80-pound rucksack on his back. Now, he has trouble even walking, but he's still working to complete one final mission – help cut down what has become a surge of veteran suicides.
Fighting cancer for a cause
According to the U.S. Army, Fitch was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in May 2012. Since then, the servicemember has raised thousands of dollars to benefit the Active Heroes "Carry the Fallen" campaign. Active Heroes started the campaign to raise awareness and money for veterans and their families affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide.
The organization reported that 22 veterans commit suicide every day, and the goal is to drop that number to zero.
Fitch himself raised just under $60,000 to benefit the effort in a single ruck march on the weekend of Sept. 11. Military Times reported Fitch's group – Team Minuteman – raised $112,000 for Active Heroes through the "Carry the Fallen" campaign. That money will go toward helping veterans repair their homes and establish a veteran retreat in in Shepherdsville, Kentucky.
Transitioning roles
Now, Fitch is working to transition to a leadership role in raising Active Heroes funds due to the weakness caused by his illness. Since his diagnosis, Fitch has had 41 chemotherapy treatments, has gone through several surgeries and has lost 55 pounds and much of his digestive system in medical procedures, Military Times reported. As the captain's health fades, doctors state that he may only have months to live.
Far from able to throw on the 80-pound rucksack and march for miles at a time anymore, Fitch will still be attending the "Carry the Fallen" marches. He'll be riding along in the command-and-control vehicle, encouraging his fellow teammates. The next marches start on Sept. 6 and Nov. 8, according to the organization's website. The group plans to raise $250,000 by the end of the year.
With generous servicemembers like Fitch, that goal may be possible. The servicemember donated $10,000 of his personal funds just recently. To Fitch, the efforts have a much deeper meaning.
"This is my final mission as a soldier, and even when I actually do get medically retired from the Army, I am going to push this mission until I can no longer physically do anything," Fitch told Military Times. "It's an impossible task it seems like some days, but even if its one life that we save, all the effort's worth it."