A resident is taking on the challenge of running the London Marathon for the first time, for a cause very close to his heart.
Michael Peters, son of long-term late Stanmore resident Reverend Canon Ken Peters, will take on the 26-mile run on Sunday, April 27, to raise money for the charity Anthony Nolan.
The charity carries out medical research and matches stem cell donors with patients suffering from blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphomas or myeloma, who require stem cell transplant as part of their treatment.
Michael told STANMORE&EDGWAREnews: “My father had myeloma and he received a stem cell transplant. In essence, a patient undergoes heavy chemotherapy to treat the cancer but this kills off a lot of the bone marrow cells, which is where blood cells are produced. The patient can then receive a stem cell transplant which replaces the bone marrow and allows for healthy blood cells to be produced.
“As with all transplants, the closer a match the donor’s tissue is, the lower the chance of rejection. Even with a close match, immunosuppressant drugs are needed for the rest of the patient’s life so their body does not attack the foreign tissue.”
Rev Peters was initially given a six-month prognosis, but remarkably, by trialling a new course of chemotherapy combined with his stem cell transplant, he was able to live a relatively normal life for almost 20 years.
Michael added: “The reason I’m running is of course to raise money for Anthony Nolan, to spread some awareness and hopefully encourage some people to sign up to their donor register, and also to take on something really challenging that my dad would be proud of me for.
“With the marathon less than three weeks away, I am definitely getting nervous. I’m not a runner, never have been. The marathon is going to be hard, really hard. I’ve done what I can so far to prepare myself, but I know it’s going to be really tough on the day. It’s been a long process but I’m now really looking forward to the day itself. I know how much difference the crowds can make, I know I’m doing it for a good reason, and I know my dad would be out supporting me if he could, so I think I can do it.”
To donate, visit 2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/michael-peters
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