What is Myeloma?

Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is a blood cancer arising from plasma cells. At any one time there are over 35,000 people living with myeloma in the UK. It accounts for 15% of blood cancers, and 2% of all cancers. Myeloma mainly affects those over the age of 65, however, it has been diagnosed in people much younger. My Dad was one of them.

In early 2013, at 42 years old, my dad, Gurinder Singh Mann, was taken into hospital due to sharp pains he felt in his leg. This shook me to my core as my dad had never been admitted to hospital for anything before. We were really confused on what had happened. A few weeks later, we received the devastating news that my dad had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. My dad managed to fight the cancer within a year and in late 2013 he was in remission. However, this turned into a vicious cycle of his cancer returning, then going into remission to then returning again. After spending most of his 40s constantly in treatment, not being able to travel abroad, do the things he loved the most, not being able to attend big moments in my life, in July 2020, his battle was over and he passed away at the age of 49 years old, 2 months before his 50th birthday.

As he was autoimmune, we barely got to spend time with him in his final few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though I spent 3 days in hospital by his side at the end of his life, it wasn't enough. As his son, I wish we were able to spend more time together. Next year it will be 7 years since he passed away, the same amount of time he spent battling with Myeloma. I knew that I wanted to do something next year to honour his memory, but what? Then I remembered.

When my dad first got diagnosed, he would speak to me and my family about what he wanted to do with his life after he was cancer free. He never lost hope. One of the goals that he wanted to achieve was that he wanted to get in the best shape of his life so that he could run the London Marathon. I then said to him, if you run the London Marathon, I'll join you and we'll train together. Sadly, he never got to achieve this goal that he set for himself. This is why I decided I'm going to achieve my dad's dream and run the London Marathon next year. I only wanted to run if a charity that supported those dealing with Myeloma granted me a space, as I am passionate to run for a cause that supported people dealing with the same type of cancer my dad had. I’m so thrilled to say I secured that place with Myeloma UK.

This will be the first EVER marathon I will run and I am running in memory of my dad who cared and provided so much for me in my life. I am also running to remind myself that life is too short to not take part in epic moments like these. We never know when our time in this realm is going to end.

In order for me to take part in the 2027 London Marathon, I need to raise £2500 on behalf of Myeloma UK. All proceeds will be donated to Myeloma UK.

Keep tracking this page to see updates of the fundraiser as well as my training.

Thank you all so much for supporting me to honour my dad’s memory.