Man with Carlsbad ties to row for cancer research

In less than two years time, Jacob Beckley went from being a self-described "couch potato" to an avid fitness freak ready to embark on a journey across Lake Michigan for a good cause.

Beckley first got in shape and strengthened his endurance hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains with his wife Rafaela, a Carlsbad native.

Now 100 pounds lighter, he will row about 65 miles from Benton Harbor, Mich. to Chicago to raise money for research on a devestating childhood disease, neuroblastoma.

"What I really needed to do was get the altitude training. When I first started coming out (to Carlsbad), it's when I really got inspired to do something. The nature's out there, and you've got so much scenery," Beckley said. "That's what really intrigued me to want to be out there more."

Beckley said hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains jump started his active lifestyle and his training to row on Lake Michigan.

"The mountains just call you. They're just begging you to climb it. (Guadalupe Peak) was his inspiration," Rafaela said. "He's always been the kind of person that likes adventures."

Beckley said he woke up one morning and decided he wanted to row for a cause.

Neuroblastoma is an aggressive childhood cancer which attacks the adrenal glands and can spread to all areas of the body, including the spine.

"(Kids) don't survive it," Rafaela Beckley said.

Added Jacob Beckley: "It's like a death sentence."

Jacob Beckley said he's met children with this particular disease and that they're not able to keep active.

"They go through so much every day, whether it's being in front of doctors all day, whether it's [being] tied up to test tubes all day. I feel like nothing compares to what they're going through," he said.

Beckley said raising money for that illness gave him extra drive to do something outside his comfort zone.

Beckley built his own customized boat for the long journey across Lake Michigan, which he will start Sept. 30.

"It's exciting, but scary at the same time. He's building that endurance. He's been very committed to his workouts," Rafaela Beckley said.

Jacob Beckley said he constructed his boat to withstand bigger waves and "unpredictable" conditions in the water.

So far, Beckley said he's raised just over $6,400 - which his employer matched to bring it up to $12,800. Beckley's goal is to raise $15,000 before Sept. 30.

"Watching him the last two years, I'm amazed at what he can do," Rafaela said. "His asthma attacks are less frequent. He lost weight. Everything medically has improved. He feels he can do anything."

Current-Argus Sports Editor Matt Hollinshead may be reached at 575-628-5518.