Todd Grimes, left, is joined by his son Adam for a hike in the Grand Canyon in March.
Submitted photo
When Todd Grimes ran the 5K at last year’s Mill Race Marathon, he was in remission from pancreatic cancer.
Unfortunately for the lifelong Columbus resident, the cancer returned, and in October, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, with it having spread to his lungs. Grimes filled out an application in December to retire from teaching at Greenfield-Central schools, thinking he might not live through the end of last school year.
“At the time I filled out my application to retire, things didn’t look very good,” Grimes said. “Quite honestly, I didn’t think I was going to live to see the end of the school year.”
In May, Grimes began traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, once a week for a clinical trial at the renowned Sarah Cannon Research Institute.
“My oncologist said no reason to continue on the chemo, it doesn’t appear to be working,” Grimes said. “So I got myself on a clinical list, and Sarah Cannon Research Institute was the first one to call. I’m on an oral medication that is considered targeted therapy. I had genetic testing done, and this trial drug goes right after my specific mutation. I also have an infusion that’s not a trial drug, but they’re using it in conjunction with this trial drug, and it’s a walk in the park, compared to my chemo. My worst days are better than my best days on chemo.”
Since he began running about a decade ago, Grimes, who was originally diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022, has run nine marathons and about 25 half-marathons. He did a 5K in May, but these days, he does mostly walking and biking.
“I splurged and bought a bike, and I’m more of a walker and bike rider now,” Grimes said. “I’ve accepted the fact that that’s what I’m capable of now. Occasionally, I’ll pick the pace up a little bit and do a walk-jog every now and then. I’ve had some bad days here the last couple weeks.
“I try to walk and/or bike every day, and I have an Elliptical at home that I get on the days I don’t get out to bike or walk,” he added. “I’m not addicted like I used to be. I’ve accepted that reality. I’m just thankful to be able to keep moving, at least.”
Grimes has competed in one of the events at the Mill Race all but a couple years since it began in 2013. He has done the full marathon three times, the half marathon six times and the 5K twice. Last year, Grimes ran all of the 5K and finished second in his age group.
Less than a month later, he received the bad news.
“They confirmed that my cancer is back and that I would never again be cancer free,” Grimes said.
Grimes plans to run and walk the 5K at this year’s Mill Race Marathon Sept. 27. He will be representing Project Purple and will wear a Project Purple singlet during the race.
Through Project Purple, Grimes, whose father Chuck died of pancreatic cancer in 2018, is hoping to raise money to aid in pancreatic cancer research and early detection and provide aid and support to those currently affected. People can donate through his fundraising page, https://donate.projectpurple.org/fundraiser/6553763
Meanwhile, Grimes is pleased with the results of his clinical trial so far.
“All of those existing tumors have either stabilized or are shrinking,” he said. “So all signs at this point, point to a positive future.”
Grimes is thankful for the people who have driven him to Nashville on Sundays and waited with him through his treatment on Mondays before returning home on Monday nights.
“I’ve had no shortage of family members and friends that have offered to take me,” he said. “I’m very fortunate to have the support system that I do.”
Grimes, played football and baseball at Columbus North, graduating in 1986. He started to play football at Hanover College, but injured his patella before the first game and was done with the sport.
After graduation from Hanover, Grimes taught U.S. History and Psychology at Hauser for 15 years. He then taught for a few years in Indianapolis Public Schools before moving on to Greenfield, where he recently completed his ninth year teaching mostly math at The Academy at Greenfield-Central, which is an alternative school.
That was the 33rd and final year of teaching for Grimes, who turns 57 Sunday.
“If I was healthy, I wouldn’t be close to retirement,” he said. “I love teaching. I always thought I’d teach until I reached 40 years, and I was certainly on pace for that until I got sick. When school started this month, I really wanted to be back. But life had different plans for me.”
Now, Grimes is looking for something else to keep him busy when he isn’t running, walking or biking.
“I’m still trying to figure out any pattern to the days I’ll feel good,” he said. “I have some possibilities, and I certainly want to be out there doing something. I knew whenever I did retire, I wanted to continue being productive in some kind of line of work and be a difference in the life of others. So hopefully, something will come up here in the near future.”
