John & Friends Run for Cancer is Mar. 4 in New Orleans.

Over the next few days, Newscenter 11 will look at the history of this event that has raised thousands of dollars for the Anderson Cancer Center Patient Benevolence Fund.

Call it coincidence, chance, fate, or anything you like. Rene Berry and John Johnson were meant to meet at a Meridian Wal-Mart.

"When I saw you that day and you came up and we started talking," said Rene Berry, "I thought, that's John Johnson! I can't believe this man is talking to me. I really can't believe John Johnson is talking to me."

Since moving from Vicksburg a couple of years ago, Rene says she has loved to watch Newscenter 11. But what Berry didn't realize was that when she and the longtime news director met by chance in Wal-Mart of all places, John was just as excited as she was.

John already knew a lot about Rene. Berry and her family decided to run the Chicago Marathon in the fall of 2006. An article about Berry's run appeared in the Jackson Clarion Ledger a few months later, about a year before John's first run for cancer.

"I read the story and I read how long it took her. But what she always said in her actions is, I will never quit. I won't quit. I won't stop," said John. "I don't care what you tell me. I don't care how long it's going to take; I won't quit."

John read the story in January 2007. Just under a year later, on Dec. 8, 2007, he didn't quit either, finishing the first of what would be many runs benefiting the benevolence fund at Anderson Cancer Center.

A couple of years later, who should John run into but Berry, who had moved to Quitman to be close to her daughter and son-in-law, who John encountered while shopping.

"On that day in Wal-Mart, I said, oh you ran the Chicago Marathon? And he said yes, all of us did. And all of us, meaning his wife, and his mother-in-law. And I said, really? I read about a person who did that. And he said, he pointed, and I said there was this lady who ran the marathon and it's the reason I run. And he said, really? That's her. Can you imagine trying to figure out how in the world did this happen? Well, I guess God put us together."

So there you go, an explanation. John was inspired by Rene. Rene was inspired by John. And thanks to a little divine intervention, they were able to meet one another, and be inspired all over again.

Rene's fight to finish the Chicago Marathon is an incredible story. That's the subject of Part 2.

Anyone wishing to support John & Friends Run for Cancer and the Anderson Cancer Center Patient Benevolence Fund may send a check to:

John & Friends Benevolence Fund Donation
1704 23rd Avenue
1st Floor
Meridian, MS 39301