In 2015, Chris Proby ran a 3:06 marathon while training for a sub 3hr attempt. A few months later someone kicked a football which accidentally smacked his leg, and the pain from this led him to have an MRI which revealed he had a tumor in his leg. Chris was diagnosed with aggressive cancer, and it was bad.
Now back running, Chris is 2 years post bone marrow transplant and organising a 5k/10k event in aid of the Irish Cancer Society on July 28th. It is an event that he has been planning since he was in hospital battling cancer, where he would hang marathon medals in his hospital room to help keep motivated.
Here is Chris’ story:
I was first diagnosed with cancer in 2015. I had only recently ran the Manchester marathon and I was training for the Cologne marathon later that year. It was an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
I underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and after a fierce battle I got the all clear in 2016. Just 9 months later, I relapsed. After more chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and a bone marrow transplant, I finally got the all clear again in 2017.
Running was a huge part of what kept me going through both battles. I would dream of being back outside running again. It was a huge factor in helping to motivate me through such a difficult time, and I promised that when I was out of hospital I would somehow combine my love of running and this difficult chapter in my life to create something positive, and began planning that very idea.
I was told that due to the aggressiveness of my illness, my biggest and most important goal was to reach the 2 year anniversary of my post-transplant all clear in 2017. My specialist explained that if I reached that point I would have a 95% chance of long term survival, and just recently on the 14th of June I celebrated that very special anniversary.
Never Give Up 5k/10k
To celebrate the anniversary I have organised the “Never Give Up 5k/10k”, a fun run and walk on Sunday July 28th at 11:30am in my local village of Inch, Gorey, Co.Wexford in benefit of the Irish Cancer Society. It’s an opportunity to bring the community together for a fun family morning for a great cause, whether you walk it or run it, it’s all about taking part. There are medals for all participants, trophies, a kids dash for the smaller children, face painting, and refreshments after the event.
To make it even more exciting, the Wexford all Ireland hurling semi-final match is on later in the afternoon the very same day. My medals are themed with the Wexford colours, and it couldn’t be a more fitting day, to take part in the event for such a great cause, picking up this fantastic medal along the way, which we will be able to wear while watching the Wexford game later that day.
Registration is available on www.popupraces.ie, alternatively, registration will be open in St Mogue’s Community Centre in Inch from 9am on the morning of the event. Any support would be hugely appreciated, and if you can’t make it on the day but would still like to support, you can register online for a virtual walk/run. Further details are on my FB page @nevergiveupchrisp.
