A CANCER survivor is lacing up his running shoes ready to take on the London Marathon this weekend.
Kai Thomson, from Solihull, will be pounding the pavements and completing the world-famous 26.2 mile marathon to help raise funds for Children with Cancer UK – a charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer.
Kai was inspired to take on the marathon challenge in support of the charity after he and his twin brother, Ethan, were both diagnosed with leukaemia less than one year apart – Ethan was just 19 months old and Kai was two and half.
They were treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
The 19-year-old said: “Going through cancer treatment with Ethan was tough – not only for me to see the affect the diagnosis had on my brother, but also the impact on my parents.
“Looking back, I can’t even imagine the trauma that they were going through during that time.
“They really had to face the unthinkable, having two children diagnosed with cancer.
“My advice for other cancer patients is to “focus on the fight not the fright” and I hope I can help increase awareness of Children with Cancer UK’s vital work to support young people diagnosed with the disease.”
This year, over 1,000 runners will be completing the London Marathon to help raise crucial funds for Children with Cancer UK.
And former marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe, who is an Ambassador for Children with Cancer UK, will be sharing messages of encouragement for this year’s running team.
Jo Elvin, chief executive at Children with Cancer UK, said: “We’d like to thank Kai and every single runner who is taking part in the London Marathon this year for Children with Cancer UK.
“We’re incredibly grateful for their passion, determination (and willpower!) to take on such a huge endurance challenge and help raise vital funds to support our ground-breaking research into childhood cancers.
“Every runner, every step and every pound raised will make a huge difference in helping to support young cancer patients and their families across the UK.
“We wish Kai and his fellow competitors the very best of luck for Sunday and we’ll be cheering them on at the finish line.”
