Cancer survivor to run London Marathon

Jack Brown, from Maidstone, was aged 16 when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2020

A cancer survivor from Kent is to run the London Marathon to raise money for the charity that helped support him through his treatment.

Jack Brown, from Maidstone, was aged 16 when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2020.

After three months of chemotherapy and two operations, he was given the all clear and began running to regain fitness, despite a warning from doctors that he may never be able to properly compete in sport again.

“It just shows you can do anything that you set your mind to,” he said.

After finding a lump on his testicle during the Covid-19 lockdown, a scan confirmed Mr Brown had testicular cancer and he underwent surgery the following week.

He said: “The consultants told me that it was a treatable diagnosis. That helped me keep a positive mindset, but I’d be lying to say I was positive throughout, especially because I had the extra worry of being treated during Covid-19.

“It was definitely the toughest period of my life.”

'Immense pride'

Mr Brown said he did not have the energy to even walk during treatment, so the idea of running a marathon seemed almost impossible.

“To be sat here as a semi-professional rugby player, a few weeks away from running the London Marathon fills me with immense pride,” he said.

The Loughborough University student will be running the marathon on 21 April to fundraise for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Despite a recent injury hindering his chances of a four-hour finish, Mr Brown said: “The most important thing is raising money, so I just want to get round the course.”

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