Mark’s story: 

On 28 February 2022, Mark went to the hospital with an overnight bag on his GP’s advice, for what he thought was a simple iron transfusion following feeling poorly after contracting covid.  Mark remained in hospital, with no visitation, for nearly 13 weeks.  

On 9 March, Mark was diagnosed with Leukemia, and it took another 2 weeks for Mark to finally find out he had Acute Myeloid Leukemia, which is a very quick and aggressive form of blood cancer.  In fact, Mark and his wife were told that if he wasn’t starting his treatment when he was, he wouldn’t be alive in 3 weeks.  His family were rocked to the core.  Mark immediately commenced treatment and throughout a 7 month period, he underwent 3 gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and over the 7 months, he only got home to recover and spend time with his wife and children for 6 weeks.  

Thankfully Mark went into remission which enabled him to undergo a Stem Cell Transplant in September 2022. His sister was a 100% tissue match for him and without doubt, she saved his life.  At the time of writing this, Mark is 134 days post transplant and is recovering well, but there is still a long road ahead. During this 7/8 month period, there were dark days for Mark and his family, which they would not have got through without the support of local cancer charities, with Cancer Focus in particular providing support to Mark.

Throughout this time, Mark’s ‘Park Run’ buddies kept in very regular contact and this in itself was a lifeline for him, getting to talk to the friends he met, doing the thing he loves – running.  So, on Sunday 30 April 2023, 2 relay teams and 4 full marathon runners made up of Mark’s ‘Park Run’ buddies, will be running the Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon in aid of Cancer Focus NI, which is a local based charity.  Mark, his life saving sister and his two daughters are planning to walk/run the last mile of the relay and marathon and cross the finish line with them, which would be a huge achievement for him.

We understand there are many who are feeling the ‘pinch’ financially, at present, but if you are able to give a couple of pounds to this wonderful charity, we would be eternally grateful, as will those who will receive help as a result of your donation. 

Mark would like to say to anyone reading this:  1) if you can donate blood, please do – it really does save lives    2) if you can donate stem cells, please join the DKMS Register  -  it is no longer an invasive process and you will be saving someone’s life     3) if you don’t feel right or think something may be wrong with your body, please get yourself checked by a health professional.