Merseyside resident, Leah Guy, faced the challenge of a lifetime by running the 2009 Great North Run on 20th September in aid of The Anthony Nolan Trust, the charitythat saves lives by managing and recruiting new donors to the UK’s most successful bone marrow register
Leah, 26, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on 20th September 2006, just two months after qualifying as a pharmacist.After several months of treatment at Aintree University Hospital, Leah’s cancer has gone into remission.But the possibility that she could need a bone marrow transplant in the future inspired her to support The Anthony Nolan Trust.
Leah, who completed the race in an impressive 1 hour and 57 minutes said, “During the moment of silence/song before the start, I reflected on the years that had passed and was proud of my individual achievements and all the support I have received. I am proud to say that I have completed the Great North Run and proud to say that I have supported the Anthony Nolan Trust in doing soI continue each day to encourage people to join the bone marrow register and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.
The race saw a stronghold team of 300 Anthony Nolan superheroes tackle the half marathon course. Together, they raised an estimated £100,000 so the charity can recruit more lifesaving bone marrow donors to its register.The Great North Run is the biggest half-marathon in the world and has a unique atmosphere, starting in Newcastle city centre and finishing 13.1 miles later in South Shields.
Leah added, “Also I’ve said that I’d like to run in the London Marathon before I was 30, so with 3 years to go, who knows? But I would certainly support The Anthony Nolan trust if I did.If even one extra person joins the bone marrow register as a result of my run, that will be one extra person who is potentially going to be a lifesaver for someone affected by cancer.Running in the Great North Run is a small challenge in comparison to the challenge faced by those, including myself and my family, affected by cancer.
Leah has raised an admirable £1000 for The Anthony Nolan Trust, but you can still sponsor her at www.anthonynolanevents.org.uk/LEAHGUY.
