Wounded Warriors Steve Deschamps (left), Mark Blachuras (centre) and Jackie Cummings on the road leaving Nanaimo in the 2019 run. (submitted/John W. Penner)

By Spencer Sterritt

run for the cause

Wounded Warriors arrive in Nanaimo to share positive message

Feb 28, 2020 | 7:07 AM

NANAIMO — A local runner taking part in the Wounded Warrior run knows how devastating post-traumatic stress disorder can be.

Paramedic Mark Blachuras took roughly a month off work around this time in 2019 due to a stress injury and sought help from a doctor and psychiatrist.

“They gave me the tools and the confidence to get back to work, which was paramount,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW.

“There’s many first responders and military personnel who struggle every day and don’t have a quick bounce back like me. It’s very important we get ahead of the game and start making it okay for these people to seek help and give them the confidence to do so.”

The annual Vancouver Island Wound Warrior run began up in Port Hardy on Feb. 23.

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Blachuras and many other runners arrive in Nanaimo on Friday, Feb. 28. They’ll visit the Parksville Legion Branch 49 at 9 a.m., then work their way through Lantzville and into Nanaimo with several stops on the way.

Their day ends at the Nanaimo Legion Branch 10 at 5 p.m.

It starts again bright and early the next day. They’ll take off to Shawnigan Lake starting at 9 a.m. at the Serious Coffee in downtown Nanaimo.

Blachuras said it’s an emotional experience from day one of training to the end of the run.

“Many people approach us at our events or when we’re making our stops and express themselves, saying ‘I’ve also had this experience and what you guys are doing is great.'”

Looking ahead to the future, Blachuras said he’ll remain involved with Wounded Warriors and will do everything he can to spread the message.

“It’s so important we’re being not just reactive but proactive. It’s about staying ahead of the game and having programs to educate people and make them comfortable. If they get to the point of needing help, they’ll have the tools and programs to get help.”

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit