Looking back my life is split in to two clear sections; before illness and after illness. Whilst before I wasn’t particularly unhealthy I definitely didn’t go out of my way to be healthy.  With my second chance, I view life differently and to celebrate my new way of life and continued well being I thought I’d mark 4 years in remission with a half marathon and a bit of fundraising.

I’ve chosen to run for the Starmer Smith Lymphoma Fund as I believe that more research is needed for a better understanding of lymphomas and how they should be treated. Whilst lymphoma is not one of the biggest cancers, 12,000 people are diagnosed in the UK each year and hopefully any funds raised will be able to help in more people with lymphoma having a much better prognosis.

The purpose of the fund is…

“To
support and train a Fellow, known as the Starmer-Smith Fellow. The position will undertake research and clinical duties in the field of lymphomas and related conditions”

The story behind the fund is far more involved and personal.

Julian Starmer-Smith was 19 years old when he was diagnosed with an aggressive T-cell lymphoma in 2001. He fought this bravely, but medical science did not have the answer to his cancer at that time.  In Julian’s memory, his parents, Nigel and Ros, founded the Julian Starmer-Smith Lymphoma Fund.  This Fund actively supports the work of the scientists of the University of Oxford who are trying to understand more completely the ways in which lymphoma arise as well as mechanisms which might be used to treat them.  The object of the Julian Starmer-Smith Lymphoma Fund is to support research into biological and
clinical aspects of lymphoma (a diverse group of cancers of the lymphatic system).