We Are Children's » Is Your Triathlon Coach a Cancer Survivor? Ours Is!

Is Your Triathlon Coach a Cancer Survivor? Ours Is!

Brian Melekian Shares His Story

Brian Melekian is featured in our abc7 ”Imagine” segment on Nautica Malibu Triathlon

“When I was 13 years old, I started having the worst headaches you can imagine. I went into the hospital for an MRI and they found that I had a malignant Astrocytoma, a tumor on my brainstem.

“Our next stop was Children’s Hospital Los Angeles because we were told that they were the best at treating my type of cancer.

“On July 7th, 1988, I had surgery, performed by Dr. McComb to remove the tumor. And, he did such a good job removing the tumor that, without any chemotherapy or radiation, I was given a clean bill of health.

“But, it wasn’t all easy for me. In order to remove the tumor, I was left with a lot of crazy side effects . . . vision difficulties, balance difficulties . . . my dreams of playing high school basketball were shot!

So, How Did I Get to be a Triathlete?

“In college, I took up running. I ran my first marathon in 2001 and I have run every L.A. Marathon since then.

“But, after a while “just running” got a little boring for me. I signed up for a triathlon in 2006 for fun with some friends and I came in almost dead last.

“But, even though I didn’t win the event, I found out that I liked it, and I knew I could do better.

“In June 2007, I signed up for an Ironman competition and did quite well. And, then I qualified right after that for an elite Half-Ironman Championship.

“I’ve done 6 Ironman Competitions, and I hate to say it, but I’ve gotten really good at it.

Someday, You Will Understand Why This Happened

“I have had a lot of years of asking the question of “why me?”

“At first, I asked the question out of anger.

“After a while though, I started asking the question out of guilt. Why did I get to survive cancer when others didn’t?

“ Brian Melekian Pre-Swim Now that I am coaching Team CHLA for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, it provides me with a way to give back – a way to answer that question of “why me?”

“In 2006, I met up with a staff member of the hospital who found out my background and asked if I would be on the CHLA Triathlon team.

“The next year, I served as captain and coach, and as a result of that experience, I have decided to pursue triathlon coaching full-time, and coaching Team CHLA is a huge part of what I do and who I am now.

“I am so thrilled to be a coach for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles team. I could be the team coach for Team Warner Brothers, or another well-known corporation, and it would be a great gig, but it wouldn’t have the same emotional impact that it does for me to give back to the people who work at this hospital where I received my care so long ago.

“And, I am proud to be able to say that, I can now look a kid who has cancer and say, “You know, you may not figure it out right away, but one day, you’ll be able to answer the question ‘Why did I have cancer?’

“I am also able to share with them that, not only can they survive cancer, but they can thrive and do more than they ever thought possible.”