INUVIK - When Sue Clarkson was finally diagnosed with an incurable form of lymphoma last April, few were more devastated than her colleague and best friend Debbie MacDonald.

They've been nursing partners at the Inuvik Regional Hospital for the last 12 years and on Thursday the pair sat side by side in a vacant room at the hospital rehashing the ordeal.

Sue Clarkson offers her trademark smile as she makes it through the tail end of a gruelling run along the highway on Sunday afternoon. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

Shocked and in a state of disbelief, MacDonald found it nearly impossible to come to terms with the fact that her confidante, who she said had always been the picture of health, had suddenly received a death sentence.

"I was devastated," she said. "I cried every day, because it was a very long process for her to get diagnosed. We were hoping for the best and wondering could it be that or it could be that. She was waiting for appointments and waiting for her biopsies, waiting for gastroscopes."

Clarkson is the picture of health with a slender build and glowing complexion. She has maintained a healthy lifestyle, having a healthy obsession with nutrition. Always active, she was a regular at the pool. She's a leader at work, her best friend said, someone to whom many of her colleagues look up, including MacDonald.

Clarkson knew something was wrong after noticing blotches of rashes on her body that wouldn't go away. The news eventually came that she had T-cell lymphoma.

To those who know her best, it was no surprise how courageously the mother of three - Phillip, 17, Elye,13 and Avlo, 10 - dealt with her illness.

Her philosophy is simple.

"Our family is trying not to let cancer be in the forefront of our lives," she said with a smile. "We're trying to live our lives and appreciate every day. I want to make it a positive twist, make it an opportunity rather than looking at the fact it may shorten my life."

Shortly after her diagnoses, Clarkson visited the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada website and noticed a promotion for the annual 42.2 km Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco in support of the society, which is dedicated to funding research for all blood cancers. Since it was scheduled for Oct. 18, she knew she had ample time to train. After some thought, Clarkson resolved to do it.

She then convinced MacDonald to sign up along with another friend living in Whitehorse. Four more women from the NWT have since joined the team.

Not only are they following a gruelling training schedule but each of the participants are raising funds for the event. Both MacDonald and Clarkson are aiming big and are hoping to raise $6,000 each.

But it's not all about raising money for research that Clarkson's concerned with. She wants to raise awareness about her disease and other blood cancers such as leukemia, myeloma. According to the society, every four minutes one person is diagnosed with a blood cancer.

"I'm portrayed to be a really healthy person," she said. "It was one of those things that if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone."

MacDonald will compete in the half marathon. Running 21.2 kilometres is enough of a challenge to most, especially for her because she's never been a runner.

"Mentally and physically it's been challenging, but I've never been so healthy," she said. "I have blisters on my feet but when you finish you have this tremendous sense of accomplishment that you've done it. It's made me stronger knowing I can do this."

Five days a week they run the highway, climbing hills and training with weights. They're also following a strict nutrition program.

Though both try to train as much as they can together, Clarkson is a little faster. She ran 23 km on Sunday, July 19, from her home to the airport and back. MacDonald suffered through a 12 km trek. She is the first to admit nothing has come easy.

Luckily the organizers of the event offer training support for participants, which ranges from a certified coach to a chiropractor, who through regular e-mails and teleconferences are guiding them along.

Clarkson admits the training has been challenging, combined with painful light treatment that works to keep the disease at bay, but she has no plans of slowing down.

"I don't feel sick. I still feel healthy and have energy to do it."

Her running partner remains in awe.

"She's a role model because she's so strong, "said MacDonald. "I think she will give anyone else with any form of cancer support because of the way she's dealing with it and being positive with her life and raising awareness and raising money, just going forward and not letting cancer grab her. She's awesome."