Runner Diagnosed with Stage Three Bowel Cancer Sets His Sights on London Marathon

Despite being diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer last year, Andy Spary, 39, is focusing on the positive and has already started training to run the 2026 London Marathon. The carpenter from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, was diagnosed after experiencing extreme pain in his left buttock, which was initially thought to be a skating injury. An MRI scan and biopsy revealed a tumour in the tract off his colon, and doctors diagnosed him with stage three bowel cancer linked to his existing Crohn's disease.

Key Takeaways:

• Andy Spary, a 39-year-old carpenter, was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer after experiencing severe pain in his left buttock, which was initially attributed to a skating injury.
• He underwent an MRI scan and biopsy, which revealed a tumour in the tract off his colon, and was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer linked to his existing Crohn's disease.
• Andy had a stoma put in place to put the cancerous area of his body out of action and prepare him for chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which he began in July.
• He had a second operation on May 21, which removed the remaining section of his colon and the tumour, and was reconstructed using tissue from the area.
• Andy's passion for rollerblading has led to multiple hospitalizations, and he credits running with helping him stay strong both physically and mentally.
• He has raised over £3,350 on GoFundMe for the charity Trekstok, which supports young people with cancer.
• Andy is currently recovering from surgery and hopes to be discharged by the end of May, after which he will start physiotherapy to relearn how to walk.
• He aims to run the 2026 London Marathon on behalf of Trekstok, with the goal of raising £10,000 by the time he starts his training.
• Andy attributes his success in recovery to his wife's support, as well as the support of Trekstok, which helps young people with cancer who lack a support system.
• He has managed to sit up and take his first steps since the operation and hopes to be back on his feet, stronger and fitter, without Crohn's disease or cancer.

Statistics:

• Andy has raised over £3,350 on GoFundMe for the charity Trekstok since his diagnosis.
• He aims to raise a total of £10,000 by the time he starts his marathon training in 2026.
• He has already raised £2,500 in under a week, surpassing his expectations.
• Andy was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer after experiencing pain in his left buttock, which was initially attributed to a skating injury.
• He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy before his second surgery.
• The operation to remove the tumour and reconstruct his bottom using tissue from the area took place on May 21.

Sources:

• [Andy Spary's GoFundMe page, accessed 2024]
• [Trekstok, accessed 2024]
• [NHS, "Symptoms of bowel cancer", accessed 2024]