I’m 63 years old, and in 1991 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Following various courses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy I took up running in 2004, since then I’ve run 7 marathons, including two London. In November 2008 I spent 5 weeks in my local hospital Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor undergoing a Stem-cell transplant. Following 6 months off work, I started back running in June 2009. Despite picking up several infections due to a low immune system, my training is now back on track, although the times are slower than pre-transplant.

During my transplant I spent 5 days in intensive-care with pneumonia, and it was here, that I decided to run another marathon to prove to myself, and others in a similar position that there is life after treatment. So this April I’m running the Virgin 2010 London Marathon and hope to raise £1000 each for The Lymphoma Society and Alaw Ward where I had the transplant.

You can sponsor me online at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JohnLyon or www.justgiving.com/Lyon-John. You can also follow my progress on Twitter at www.twitter.com/johnlyonrunning.

If you, or a family member or friend have been affected by lymphoma or a similar condition, and wish to talk to someone who’s been there and done it – give me a ring on 01407 760914