Lifestyle Feature

It’s a wonderful journey

New Ulm native talks about cancer, marathons and the ripple effect

NEW ULM – New Ulm native and Cathedral graduate Al Christensen has always appreciated "It's a Wonderful Life" and its idea of the Ripple Effect. 

The first ring in Christensen's ripple regarding his battle with advanced prostate cancer began during his time as a Cathedral student. 

Christensen, who just had his fortieth class reunion in 2025, said that his participation in football and basketball established a love for physical activity that continues to this day. 

"My coaches and teachers were the best. There are some teachers that really inspired and motivated me," Christensen said. "It taught mental toughness."

It was this mental toughness that helped Christensen after receiving news right before Christmas in 2023.

Christensen was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. 

"Advanced is something you don't want to hear because it can take you to dark places," Christensen said.

Unfortunately for Christensen, the cancer could have potentially been caught earlier. 

Four years prior to his advanced prostate cancer diagnosis, Christensen visited a specialist following a test that showed his Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) level was a 3.7.

Chalking it up to seasonal issues, the specialist told Christensen to keep an eye on it but things should be fine. In those four years, Christensen's numbers climbed to 7.4. 

"This is a non-medical opinion, but if you're at a 2.3 or a 2.5 and you have insurance, go get an MRI," Christensen said. "I really wish (the specialist) had aired on the side of caution."

Following the diagnosis, Christensen decided to keep the news to himself. 

"I sat on the news for five months, I didn’t tell anybody until two nights before my surgery," Christensen said. 

The surgery removed Christensen's prostate and targeted lymph nodes where the disease had spread. 

"The surgery is really cool, it's kind of like a video game," Christensen said. "They put their head in a screen and they deploy six robots in you to destroy the lymph nodes in you."

Unfortunately, the disease came back and Christensen needed more treatment.

"You gotta take this chemo cocktail of drugs combined with radiation," Christensen said.

He described the side effects like wearing a weighted vest for two years.

"The side effects, essentially what they do is cut off your testosterone and pump you full of estrogen and steroids, they chemically turn you into a female," Christensen said. "I joked with my family that I have to embrace my feminine side."

Humor was one of Christensen's keys to getting through the tough times. 

"One joke that always kept me laughing was 'one of the side effects is I'm supposed to get male breasts, maybe I should go shopping for a bra,' and my cousin goes, 'dude, no for guys it's called a bro, get yourself a bro,'" Christensen said. "I often think of that joke, you want to maintain a strong sense of humor."

Another key for Christensen was continuing to challenge himself. 

He worked full time throughout treatment and was able to play basketball everyday. 

For Christensen, physical activity like basketball was a way to keep his mind occupied. 

In 2025, Christensen was inspired to elevate his level of physical activity when his friend invited him to watch her run the 10 mile Twin Cities Marathon. 

"I was really impressed by her. You gotta be focused, strong mind, body, that kind of thing," Christensen said. 

Despite the motivation, Christensen was unsure if his body would allow him to run the marathon.

During his two years of treatment, Christensen would have a meeting with his body parts every morning

"You tell your liver and your lungs and your heart and kidneys that you're going to go through some stuff," Christensen said. "I told them you gotta check in with me and let me know you're okay."

And they did just that. Christensen stopped his heavy med treatment at the end of August. His body adjusted well and Christensen began training.

Arriving at 4 a.m. for the marathon, Christensen listened to music and got pumped up with his fellow runners.

"The weather was great and my friend was there at a number of spots, the support I got was amazing," Christensen said. "They say it's one of the best marathon routes in the United States, it's so pretty."

He credited the crowd for lots of the energy.

"The crowd carries you and you just kind of float," Christensen said. "It was electric."

Christensen signed up under the name Steve Rogers because he didn't want anybody to know if he didn't finish. 

Next year he plans to run as Jon Snow.

"The last two years have been like riding a dragon," Christensen said. "I didn't know if those meds were going to eat me or burn me."

Also running the "Tough Mudder," a mud run course in the Twin Cities, and the Mankato 5K, Christensen completed three marathons in 2026.

"I'm in this twilight zone floating on a cloud of gratitude," Christensen said. 

Support from family and friends went a long way. 

"I come from a very large family so I've had so many prayer warriors rooting for me and checking in," Christensen said. 

He is also active with the basketball community in Saint Peter.

Crediting the ripple effect for the positive impacts that came from marathons, Christensen hopes his own story will act as a ripple effect for others looking to challenge themselves in positive ways.