Half Ironman for The HardyStrong Foundation

My name is Harrison Arnberg. I will be racing in Puerto Rico's Half Ironman on March 17th (1.2m swim, 56m bike, 13.1m run) and am raising money for The HardyStrong Foundation, a charity seeking to honor the memory of my friend Justin Hardy. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Foundation.

I met Justin during our first year in college and we grew close over the years. Justin was a true joy to be around, a killer on the basketball court, and an amazing friend. He changed the lives of every person he met for the better. Please watch the embedded video to hear Justin's story in his own words. Additionally, please visit the Foundation's website to learn more about Justin's life and story, which I will also copy below.

The Foundation's mission is to increase awareness and support of Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer, to provide resources that improve access to genetic testing for cancer risk, and to honor the legacy of Justin Hardy through scholarships to exemplary scholar-athletes.

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Justin's Story

"Justin Hardy was driven by competition. Whether it was on the basketball court, in the classroom, or during a game of Monopoly, Justin expressed eagerness to succeed. At St. Charles East High School, Justin was a leader on the Varsity Boy’s Basketball Team, best known for his role in defeating the cross-town rival not once - but twice - with a buzzer-beater. Off the court, Justin was well admired for his positive spirit, love for magic tricks, and ability to connect on a personal level with everyone. Starting August of 2018, Justin took his participation in academics and athletics to the next level at Washington University in St. Louis. He became a key part of the WashU Men’s Basketball Team while pursuing a degree in accounting and finance.

In April 2021 - towards the end of his junior year at WashU - Justin was diagnosed with Stage IV Stomach Cancer. Though he recognized that there were some dark moments that summer, Justin began to redefine what it meant for him to be living with cancer. He emphasized that the narrative was about how he was living, rather than how he was dying. His perspective on living with cancer was unique.

Here is how he lived: Justin lost 50 pounds of strength and athleticism after surgery and chemotherapy, and he slowly regained it by humbly training with the current St. Charles East basketball team. Justin was informed of the medical odds he was up against, yet he didn’t stop pursuing academics, athletics, or relationships. He graduated in December 2021 - a semester ahead of schedule - with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Justin was immersed in the medical conversation of treatments and chemotherapies and clinical trials, and he asked, “Is there anything about this that’s stopping me from returning to basketball?” Justin received chemotherapy on Monday and showed up to practice on Tuesday. And in the greatest trial of his life - in the most vulnerable time - Justin shared his story, his perspective, and his value with the world.

The power of Justin’s positivity spread beyond the St. Charles and WashU communities. Because of the support from St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Bob Quillman’s podcast, and ESPN, Justin’s impact spread well beyond what could have been anticipated. But rightfully so. In Justin’s final months, he was honored with the 2022 Perry Wallace Most Courageous Award and recognition at the Dick Vitale Gala.

Justin passed away on May 29th, 2022 after 13 months of courageously redefining what it meant to live with cancer. In those 13 months, Justin adopted the phrase “Mind Over Matter” to describe the way he lived his life. It represents the mental toughness that allowed him to see his cancer diagnosis as a catalyst for positivity, rather than despair. It represents the determination that Justin always had - but that the world finally got to see."