My life, and that of my whole family, changed on 1st March 2018. Being diagnosed with Blastoid Mantle Cell Lymphoma, an aggressive incurable blood cancer, was devastating. After the initial numb feeling when the world stopped, every negative thought imaginable ran through my head. I was told it wasn’t lifestyle or genetics. Just bad luck.

As days and weeks passed the world leading care and medicine I received started to give me hope. On top of that the fantastic support of my family and friends gave me the ability to tackle the bumpy treatment road ahead.

After an initial, critical Autologous Stem Cell Transplant I then received a life-saving Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant made possible by the wonderful Anthony Nolan charity. Put simply, this gave me a second chance at life. I’m now running the London Marathon to help others get theirs.

“Anthony Nolan’s world-leading stem cell register, groundbreaking cell and gene therapy research and expertise in stem cell transplants means we currently help four patients a day in need of a transplant, giving more people another chance to live. But we know we can, and must, do more. Driven by patients, backed by stem cell donors, powered by science, and with your support, we won’t stop until we’ve uncovered the lifesaving potential of the cells inside us all, and every patient can survive and thrive.”

I’m lucky to be here to tell everyone about them; indeed they’ve inspired me to put myself through some hard graft to help others find an equally generous anonymous donor.

Life still isn't perfect; treatment leaves both physical and mental scars that need ongoing treatment and check ups. Family life changed massively due to my diagnosis and that leaves a personal responsibility that can be hard to make sense of sometimes. Mentally it's hard to look far into the future knowing it's incurable and I could relapse at any time, and it could be even more aggressive, so my glass-half-full outlook is essential.

To finish, those who know me know this is not what I call fun (no bat, ball, racket or club is involved!) but with your support and generosity I will run hard to give others the same 2nd chance at life that someone somewhere gave me.

Please support me if you can and share this fundraising page with your friends, family and colleagues. Every donation will help save lives.

Thank you ❤️ 🙏