Alvin’s marathon

In October 1998 I was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia). Not something you expect to be told as 9 year old. As you can imagine this was a massive thing for my family to go through. I was first introduced to the charity under their former name Clic (Cancer and Leukaemia in Children). 
They would go on to be one of the most important organisations I have ever encountered. They provided me with a special nurse that would visit my house whilst I was on treatment to take blood and give certain meds. These ladies Sue, Petra and Tanya were not only nurses but eventually became lifelong friends. The weight they helped take of the shoulders of my family is something I hold high.
After a couple of years of chemo some complications with an infection meant my cancer returned. It was decided that I would need a bone marrow transplant and that would mean a trip to Bristol and the transplant unit. My sisters Sarah and Bethan who were both only 7 and 3 I think at the time were able to stay at the amazing Clic House. A place that was able to house families of children needing treatment form all over the south west. 
Lucky for me both my sisters were matches and Sarah the oldest of my two siblings volunteered to be the donor. Extremely brave for a 7 year old and something I will always be grateful to her for.
The transplant was a success and 25 years later I am still here to tell the tale even after a few hiccups along the way caused by the chemo and radiotherapy.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not a runner. But I am a tryer. I was inspired by my brother in law running last year and feel if not now then when. 
My aim is to try and raise some money not only to raise awareness of cancer in young people but to also honour the Doctors - Paul, Amelia, Nick, Corrinne, Alex to name a few. Also the nurses Karen, Marion, Debbie J, Tanya, Sue, Lisa, Petra, Veronica, Shirley and Debbie T the list goes on. But also honour the memories of some of the people I met and called friends that sadly lost along the way. Becky, Rob, Daniel, Kev, Olivia and also my cousin Jodie, My Gran Val and Father in law Peter. 
So this is for all of you. I want to do it as fast as I can because I know if I do that then I have pushed myself to achieve something lets be honest a lot of people including myself might not think I could do.