A dentist who became one of the cancer patients to undergo a pioneering cancer treatment is, for the second time, taking on this year's Virtual London Marathon and the Manchester Marathon.
Mark Hunter, 64, was the ninth person to undergo innovative treatment known as CAR-T cell therapy at The Christie.
The therapy works by removing the body’s own immune cells and modifying them in a lab.
Mark, from Altrincham, underwent CART-T therapy in December 2019 for lymphoma, a blood cancer, and has been in full remission now for 21 months.
He said: “It gives you a different insight into what is important in life: relationships and family.
“I could retire, I’ve got too much to give. My desire is to give back.”
Now, Mark is virtually running the London Marathon for the second time this weekend by taking on a section of the Transpennine Trail and invites anyone to join him either by running or in support.
Mark's run will start at the Seamon's Road entrance to the trail, in Altrincham, and he will be running as far as Heatley before turning back and repeating this route.
“Last year you couldn’t congregate in so many people, but there were 25, 30 people and I was worried we would get stopped by the Covid police," he explained.
“I’m going to go out for myself, and it will prepare me for the Manchester Marathon.”
He added: “I’m still quite infection prone. I’ve been in remission for 21 months now since the CAR-T cell therapy.
“I’ve been left without a strong immune system. So Covid is still an issue.”
Mark is running to bring recognition to the teams of people who helped him with his illness, and to those who work behind the scenes in labs, research, and in the hospitals themselves.
He said: “I am grateful to Salford Royal, the Christie Hospital, the NHS and to Lymphoma Action UK who have all given me the opportunity to get better from the diffuse large B cell non Hodgkin's lymphoma.
“I started my treatment at Salford Royal, I have fond affections for all of the people.
“For Lymphoma Action UK. They’re very supportive in many ways. Their patients, families and research.
“The fact is that what these people do on a daily basis is something else.
“It’s what science represents to help people. I’m doing this for the people who can’t.”
Talking about running the marathon last year, Mark described the weather, explaining that it had rained for days before, and his marathon track involved dodging puddles meters wide.
Despite that, Mark ran with a group of other runners and with support from friends and family along the trail.
He remembers the run fondly, and expects a similarly puddle strewn route this year.
He said: “Last year, I have these lovely rosy memories of the people around me.
“It’s all about proving to myself that I’m still alive, surrounded by people.”
If you wish to donate to support Mark, click here .
