Scotland's 'miracle child' is set to run the Edinburgh Marathon, almost 40 years on from his blood cancer diagnosis. David Campbell, 41, became the first person in the world to undergo three bone marrow transplants in 1984 after he was diagnosed with Leukaemia aged two.
The treatment was initially unsuccessful and David's parents were told to plan a funeral for the toddler who only had a 20 percent chance of survival.
But brave David, from Ardrossan, pulled through against all odds and was hailed as a 'miracle toddler' by the Daily Record some 40 years ago. Now aged 41, the dad-of-one is taking on the 26-mile race in Scotland's capital to raise cash for Leukaemia UK.
Recounting his terrifying cancer experience, David, who now lives in Saltcoats, said: “At one point I fell into a coma and my parents were told to plan my funeral. I was in the Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow and was being tube fed as I couldn’t even sit up.
"But my parents, who had a very strong Christian faith, after a week of being in this coma decided to give their faith a chance and asked for my tube to be removed. Incredibly, later that day, I sat up and asked what was for tea. Their prayers had been answered.”
David hopes to raise around £500 for Leukaemia UK, which aims to prevent people dying from blood cancer through more effective treatment in the future.
He said: "My parents were helped by the Leukaemia Society so later on my Dad, who’s now passed away, volunteered for it. The charity doesn’t exist anymore, but I am now raising money for the important work in research and support done by Leukaemia UK.
"Treatments have changed a great deal since the early 1980s. But they are still gruelling, and I would still like to see the day when the treatment is kinder and leukaemia can be overcome far more easily.”
The cancer survivor draws on his experience with the disease to motivate himself for the long-distance runs. Recently, he even successfully completed the Loch Ness marathon.
David added: "I have great support from my family, especially my wife and son who give up a lot of their time with me throughout my training. Despite the sacrifice, I still remember in many ways I shouldn’t even be here. Now I’m fit and able to do a marathon. I know it particularly means a great deal to my Mum.
"The impact of what she went through is still raw. For months she didn’t even know if I was going to live. It’s quite an emotional thing for her to see that I’m able to do what I’m doing now. It is also a nod to my Dad – he volunteered to support the Leukaemia Society and I know he’d be proud of me."
To donate towards David's fundraising, click here.
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