Blood cancer patient runs half marathon

The 29-year-old still completed the 13.1-mile (21km) course in two hours and nine minutes

A Kent man with blood cancer who was previously given just days to live has run a half marathon while undergoing treatment.

Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2022, Callum Stroud said he had been called "crazy" for entering this year's Royal Parks Half Marathon, which took place in London earlier this month.

Nevertheless, the 29-year-old still completed the 13.1-mile (21km) course in two hours, eight minutes and 48 seconds.

Mr Stroud, who still has two years of chemotherapy to endure, said he wanted to "inspire people who are struggling not to give up and to keep fighting".

He recalled having felt unwell for a month before his diagnosis, but was stunned when doctors revealed the seriousness of his condition.

"Getting the news that you might not be around in a matter of days was terrifying to say the least, and I still have flashbacks about it even now," Mr Stroud said.

Rushed to University College Hospital in London, he received immediate treatment at an emergency cancer centre before months of chemotherapy and immunotherapy followed.

In March 2024, he was approved for CAR T-Cell therapy in March 2024 - a special kind of immunotherapy that uses a patient's own T-cells to recognise and attack cancerous cells.

Ever since, Mr Stroud has been on a maintenance programme which includes injections straight into his spinal fluid every six weeks.

Mr Stroud said training gave him "a lot of benefits, mentally and physically"

"The whole process has been agonising, especially experiencing it when you're supposed to be at the peak of your health, and planning your future," he said.

Supported by Macmillan Cancer Support, Mr Stroud signed up for the Royal Parks Half Marathon after seeing an advert on the Tube earlier this year.

He described training for it as "giving me a lot of benefits mentally and physically to deal with my situation.

"My younger brother also ran the London Marathon while I was receiving CAR T-cell Therapy, and that gave me some inspiration to take on the half marathon," Mr Stroud said.

"A lot of people have called me crazy, and even my consultant said he's never seen someone at my stage of treatment do something like this.

"But that only made me want to achieve my goal even more."