Patient stories

Karin Manchester, 65, was told she had a week to live after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a type of blood cancer, in 2004. Thanks to successful treatment and taking part in a clinical trial, she has been in remission for over 20 years. 

Roslyn was 16 when she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer. Now 27, and following successful treatment, she is running this year’s London Marathon to mark 10 years being cancer-free and to raise funds for our vital research.

Julius, 66, is a Black Belt 6th Dan karate instructor. Having been fit and healthy all his life, he was shocked to be diagnosed with stage 3 myeloma, a type of blood cancer, in September 2019. Now, thanks to treatment, he is in remission and continues to enjoy the martial arts that have been his passion for over 40 years.

Emma Godden, 51, has lost both her parents to cancer. Her dad, Arthur, passed away in 1986 when she was just 13 and her mum, Pauline, died in 2018. She reveals why she hopes to make a difference for cancer patients in the future by running this year’s London Marathon to fund our vital research.

Mary Nassiri, 47, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2021, just six months after her sister had received a similar diagnosis. During her treatment, she promised herself that once she recovered, she would run a marathon. Now, four years on, she is preparing to take part in the 2025 London Marathon and in doing so, she is raising funds for our vital research.

Nadia, 28, is running her third London Landmarks half marathon for the ICR. She explains why supporting our vital research is so important to her.

Megan Kelly was diagnosed with stage 4 Ewing sarcoma at the age of 18, following two years of poor health. Despite undergoing gruelling treatment, she passed away 18 months later in December 2020. In her memory, her family and closest friends set up Megan’s Rose of Hope, a charity dedicated to making a difference in the fight against childhood cancer. Here, Megan’s mum, Jane, shares her story and explains why supporting the ICR’s vital research is so important.

Rider McDowell’s son Errol was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a fast-growing malignant brain tumour, when he was 12. Despite six years of intensive treatment, Errol passed away in 2018. Before he died, Errol was committed to raising money to fund more research into childhood cancer – and today, his younger brothers, Mac and Piers, continue his legacy, hoping to raise £1m for cancer research in the UK.