Steven's page

Hodgkin lymphoma can develop at any age, but it mostly affects young adults in their early 20s and older adults over the age of 70. Slightly more men than women are affected.

Around 2,100 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK each year.

As many of you know (or may not) in February 2018 I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. At the time I had no idea what this was and thought I was just suffering from a classic case of common flu.  I wasn’t aware of the symptoms, what to look out for and this was certainly the last thing I expected it to be.

After having a few blood tests, PET scans and a bone marrow biopsy I was diagnosed with stage 4b Hodgkins Lymphoma.

This was a very scary and uncertain time for me, my family and friends as no one really wants to hear the news that a loved has the big C word. I learnt that I was not invincible and your age doesn’t protect you from this awful disease.

I under went 6 months of chemotherapy at Queens Hospital in Romford every other week and took medication. I cannot thank my consultant, doctors and nurses enough, their support throughout this ordeal has been amazing and they do not get enough credit. I am happy to say I had my final PET scan which showed I am now in full remission and fully recovered.  

I have chosen to run the London 2019 marathon for Lymphoma Action because without all the research that has been done into haematology and lymphatic cancers, I might not be here to tell my story today.

The charity itself also offers great support to individuals who are suffering from the cancer and to loved ones around them.  I don't only want to do this to raise the money, but to raise awareness of this condition as a lot of people didn’t know what Lymphoma was until I was diagnosed; it is one of the most common cancers for my age group.

Any donations will be gratefully received and I will run my heart for all you guys to make you proud!  I will be hosting a variety of charity nights leading up to the event and will keep you updated. I would be delighted if you could attend any of them and we can raise some as much money as possible, but it would also be great to see your faces!

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and support this great charity.

Steve




Lymphoma Action is the UK’s only charity dedicated to lymphoma, the fifth most common cancer. We’ve been providing in-depth, expert information and wide-ranging support for over 30 years, helping thousands of people affected by lymphoma. Our work drives improvements in the diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare of lymphoma. We’re here for everyone affected by lymphoma. https://lymphoma-action.org.uk