A man from Nottingham who was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer is taking on this year’s London Marathon using the same tools that helped him learn to walk again.
Adam Lever was just 19 years old when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, the most common form of primary bone cancer in children and young adults.
During his treatment, Adam received limb-salvage surgery to his left leg, which involved removing the affected bone and replacing it with a metal replica. However, he hasn’t allowed this to ruin his dream of running a marathon.
After learning to walk again and reintroducing sport into his life post-treatment, Adam knew he would have to approach the iconic event differently. And this year, to celebrate ten years in remission, he’s going for it… on crutches!
Reflecting on the challenge ahead, Adam said: “I want to inspire current and former bone cancer patients and promote the belief that anything is possible. Completing a marathon was something I would have loved to have done pre-cancer but, following my operation, I no longer thought it was possible. However, ten years on, I found myself reflecting on the process I went through, in 2012, to relearn how to walk. This gave me an idea… perhaps the thing that helped me to learn to walk again could also support me through this challenge. Two sticks of metal were pivotal in helping me to walk again and they will be essential this time too. I simply would not be able to complete a marathon distance without them.”
Laura Riach, Head of Fundraising and Communications at the Bone Cancer Research Trust, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Adam and all of his supporters for their remarkable efforts. The funds raised will be put to good use to ensure that our vital work can continue. On behalf of all future patients, their families and all of us here at the Bone Cancer Research Trust, I would like to wish a heartfelt thank you to Adam for his support – he is a truly inspirational person and is invaluable in our fight against this cruel disease.”
In November 2011, shortly after starting university, Adam began to experience pain in his left knee, which he presumed was a pulled ligament from playing sports.
After several scans at a local hospital and a bone biopsy at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, Adam was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left leg.
His treatment started with two cycles of chemotherapy in January 2012, which was followed by his limb salvage surgery. After this, he underwent six cycles of post-operative treatment.
In 2013, Adam began receiving clear scans and was declared cancer free. This year marks ten years since the end of his treatment, and Adam aiming to raise £10,000 to support the Bone Cancer Research Trust through his ‘Ten for Ten’ challenge.
If you would like to follow Adam on his journey and support him, please visit his JustGiving page.
For more information about osteosarcoma and the signs and symptoms please visit the Bone Cancer Research Trust’s dedicated and accurate information resources.
If you need information or support with any aspect of coping or dealing with primary bone cancer, please do not hesitate to contact the Bone Cancer Research Trust Support & Information service on 0800 111 4855. Alternatively, you can email them at support @ bcrt.org.uk or visit www.bcrt.org.uk/support.