Cinematographer Greg Balkin made a short film in 2023 that so inspired him he’s organizing an event to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The 24-minute film, “The Life We Have,” which was shown during last year’s BendFilm Festival, follows Rob Shaver of San Antonio, Texas, for more than a year. After being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, Shaver began running one mile every day. He succeeded in doing that for 1,175 consecutive days through all types of weather, injuries and treatment.
“In 2004, Rob was diagnosed with stage 4 Ewing’s Sarcoma. He was later diagnosed again in 2011, 2020, and most recently in 2023. But he’s so much more than someone who’s lived with cancer. He’s one of the most dynamic and profound people I’ve gotten to spend time with and hasn’t lived a typical life,” Balkin told the Source. Shaver holds a degree in religion, chemistry and a doctor of pharmacy. Balkin says Shaver is also a certified yoga instructor, musician and can recite almost any line from all of Tolkien’s work.
Balkin and his colleagues at Wondercamp film studio have hosted film screenings paired with a running event in other parts of the country. He says “[it’s] to help bring people together. The outcome has always been incredible, and people really do see running and movement in a new light.”
Now he’s bringing the event to Bend on the evening of April 15. It begins with a viewing of the film at 6pm at Embark Coworking followed by a 5K run/walk ending at The Grove. “It’s a very social pace and anyone is encouraged to join — the point is about connection and gratitude for our bodies.” There will also be a raffle with items from Peak Design, Tracksmith, Skratch Labs, Patagonia, Courier, Yeti, Hush Hush Coffee, Topo Designs, Ripton and more.
Balkin plans to run the 2026 Berlin Marathon in September with a charity bib for the American Cancer Society. He’s hoping to raise $4,000 for the nonprofit.
“Spending time with Rob is what got me into running two years ago,” he explains. “I started to see it as a way of showing gratitude for my health and for this life. I was hooked after that. I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2025 and after talking to Rob late last year, decided to sign up for Berlin. When Rob ran, he always thought of the people who wanted to run but couldn’t due to health reasons. And now that Rob could no longer run, he told me he could be the person I run for.”
As of this writing, Shaver was in hospice care at home, nearly paralyzed with tumors pressing on his spinal cord. “The Life We Have” has been screened at more than 20 festivals and won four awards. On the film’s website, Director Sam Price-Waldman describes it as a profound exercise in discernment — discerning what is real, what is important and what is meaningful.
For Balkin, it’s about community. “It’s one of the most powerful stories I’ve been a part of, and it feels very much like the community here would be impacted.”
“The Life We Have” Screening/5K/Raffle
Wed, April 15 6-8pm
Embark Coworking
2843 NW Lolo Dr, Bend
eventbrite.com/e/the-life-we-have-berlin-marathon-fundraiser-for-american-cancer-society-tickets-1984735918560?aff=oddtdtcreator
$15 suggested donation
This article appears in the Source March 26, 2026.
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