Turning Pain Into Purpose | Fireside Chat Guest: Jason O’Donnell
Turning Pain Into Purpose:
Jason O’Donnell’s Story of Endurance and Hope
At Run Tri Bike, we believe endurance is more than finish lines. We believe it’s about heart, resilience, and the power of community. Few stories embody that spirit more than Jason O’Donnell’s, a father who turned unimaginable pain into a mission that continues to inspire thousands.
In a recent Fireside Chat episode, host Jason Bahamundi sat down with Jason O’Donnell to discuss his family’s journey through heartbreak, advocacy, and hope. What began with a frightening diagnosis became a story of endurance that extends far beyond sport, proving that strength often emerges when we least expect it.
Finding Light in Darkness
The conversation begins with laughter. Pizza toppings, to be exact. But soon, the tone shifts as Jason shares the moment everything changed. When his son Brody, just 11 months old, began tilting his head oddly, repeated doctor visits offered little reassurance. Then came the words no parent should hear: your child has a brain tumor.
Jason recounts those moments with raw honesty. The shock, the numbness, and the urgent need to act. Within hours, his family was surrounded by specialists and facing decisions no parent is prepared for. “It felt like we were standing on the edge of a cliff,” he says. Yet even in those moments of uncertainty, endurance began to take shape and not through running shoes or training plans, but through love, advocacy, and the will to keep going.
Discovering Purpose Through Community
As Brody began treatment, Jason discovered the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF)—a group funding critical research into childhood cancers. What started as gratitude for their work soon evolved into a calling. Jason joined the organization, eventually becoming a board member dedicated to expanding its reach and impact.
PCRF’s mission extends beyond science. Their mission is about supporting families through every stage of the journey. From mental health care to community-building, Jason saw firsthand how endurance and compassion intersect. “It’s not just about finding a cure,” he explains, “it’s about making sure families know they’re not alone.”
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When Endurance Meets Advocacy
Endurance athletes know that progress comes in small, steady steps and Jason applied that same mindset to his advocacy. He shares an alarming statistic: only 4% of federal cancer research funding goes toward pediatric cases. Rather than accept that reality, he used his platform to raise awareness and funds, helping PCRF support new research and family initiatives.
One of the highlights of his work is the annual PCRF Run/Walk in Orange County, CA. This is a community-driven event that gathers over 5,000 participants each year. What makes it special isn’t just the running; it’s the energy, the purpose, and the shared belief that together, people can make a difference. As Jason says, “Fundraising is an attraction, not an ask. When people understand the mission, they want to help.”
Brody’s Journey and the Power of Perspective
Today, Brody is 14 years old and cancer-free, though yearly scans bring what Jason calls “scanxiety.” Each appointment is a reminder of how far they’ve come and how fragile normalcy can be. Yet, gratitude outweighs fear. The O’Donnells continue to give back, raising awareness and helping PCRF surpass $63 million in research funding.
Jason’s endurance isn’t measured in finish times or medals; it’s in every family they’ve supported and every child given a better chance. His story reminds us that endurance doesn’t stop when the race ends, it continues through compassion, advocacy, and the drive to make life better for others.
Endurance Beyond the Course
We often talk about perspective and how the journey matters as much as the destination. Jason O’Donnell’s story captures that truth perfectly. His family’s resilience shows that endurance isn’t only physical. I\It’s emotional, mental, and deeply human.
From pizza debates to hospital hallways, Jason found that laughter and purpose can coexist with pain. He found community where there could have been isolation. And he turned tragedy into fuel for hope, a mindset every endurance athlete can learn from.
So the next time your training feels heavy, remember Jason’s words and Brody’s fight. Remember that endurance isn’t just about crossing the finish line….it’s about lifting others along the way.
How You Can Help
The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation continues to lead the charge in funding life-saving research and supporting families.
Because when endurance athletes rally around a cause, we prove that the finish line is never the end. It’s just the start of something greater.
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