In January 2024 in International Falls, Minnesota, where frigid temperatures set the stage for the Arrowhead 135 Winter Ultra, a 135-mile bike race known as one of the toughest in the world. Adrenaline fuels hundreds of racers as they prepare to endure extreme conditions. Among them is Milwaukee-area resident Joe Dean.
However, Dean’s race in 2024 did not go as planned. Severe vomiting forced him to stop near the first checkpoint.
Not long after his return home to Milwaukee, Dean experienced intense abdominal pain and drove himself to the emergency department at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital - Milwaukee. Tests revealed he had stage 3 colorectal cancer. He also learned his intense vomiting during the race was caused by internal bleeding.
“I initially felt sadness. I thought, ‘Am I going to die in a few weeks?’” Dean said. “I was trying to figure out why this happened. Then sadness turned to anger, and anger turned to determination.” Determination to not only beat cancer, but finish the race he started.
Dean immediately underwent surgery to remove part of his colon and a hematoma the size of his fist, followed by chemotherapy with his care team at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital - Ozaukee.
"As Joe's nurse navigator, I helped coordinate his treatment" Ascension Columbia St. Mary's - Ozaukee oncology nurse navigator Samantha Egerer said. "It was inspirational working with him and getting to watch his determination throughout his cancer treatment process. He never gave up."
After completing his chemotherapy treatment with the support of his care team, family, and friends, Dean’s oncologist medically cleared him for his return to the Arrowhead 135.
“It was just months after chemo,” Dean said. “Failing the race led me to my diagnosis. I felt determined to finish it and prove cancer wouldn’t control my life.”
During his recovery, Dean worked with Ascension specialists to rebuild his strength and regain his mobility. He progressed from walking to biking, supported by loved ones who joined him on walks. Dean trained for two months to prepare to finish the race he started almost one year prior.
In January 2025, just one year later, Dean returned to International Falls with renewed purpose.
“It was probably the most difficult physical thing I’ve ever done,” he said. “It took a lot of physical and mental determination to push my way through, but I finished.” At the finish line, volunteers, including cancer survivors, greeted Dean with applause.
Afterward, Dean received the Spirit of the Arrowhead award and chose to support a local cancer charity that helps patients access treatment.
Looking ahead, he plans to race again and hopes to return as a volunteer. He remains deeply grateful for the care and the support that helped him recover, and for helping give him the strength to cross the finish line.
“I want to thank my entire cancer care team at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Milwaukee and Ozaukee Hospitals – my surgeon, my doctors, nurses and occupational therapist,” Dean said. “They saved my life and helped me finish the race, both in my cancer journey and on the course. I am so grateful.”
Dean’s story was also featured on FOX6. Watch it here.
