Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
I am finally running the London Marathon and this is a massive deal for me. I have been running for years, but I'm not the greatest runner and am slow. So to run the distance will be a great achievement for me. I am raising money for the Maggie's centre as they provided massive support to my running club friend Mark Shepley when he was receiving treatment for Lymphoma. Here is Mark's story:
I was diagnosed with a rare type of non-Hogkinson Lymphoma back in January 2017. The diagnosis came as a complete shock as the only symptom was a neck based lump. At the time I felt fit and healthy and indeed was running 5 times a week and in training for a half marathon.
This particular cancer variant isn't curable but treatment can result in prolonged remissions of many years. My treatment included two separate phases of chemotherapy in 2017 with the second one also incorporating a stem cell transplant. Unfortunately for me I contracted a severe form of Sepsis straight after the transplant resulting in a spell in an Intensive Care unit. Happily I am now in recovery mode having been discharged at the start of November 2017. As I have been through a lot mentally, I sought counselling and was recommended to try Maggie's Centre which is located adjacent to the Churchill Hospital site. There I found refuge and exactly the type of help I needed to get me back on my feet mentally. The counselling was expertly handled and I'm very grateful for this invaluable resource which is entirely funded from charity linked donations. Maggie's Centre provides much support to cancer sufferers and of equal importance, to their immediate partners/family who are sometimes forgotten when the tragedy of cancer strikes.
Thank you for any donations. All gratefully received.