Our Cure Leukaemia Paris Marathon 2025 team continues to grow, with over 150 runners already signed up to take on the challenge this April. Among them are clinicians, families, and friends – all united by their personal connections to blood cancer and a shared determination to raise vital funds for Cure Leukaemia.
Among this incredible group of runners, one stands out—not just for his determination but because he has lived and breathed the disease himself.
In 2018, Mike was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukaemia (HCL) – a rare, slow-growing type of blood cancer that affects the B cells, a type of white blood cell crucial for the immune system. The disease gets its name from the hair-like projections seen on the cancerous cells under a microscope. While HCL is considered treatable, it is currently incurable, and treatment options often involve intensive chemotherapy.
Mike reflects on his journey:
“The treatment was short and aggressive, and while the prognosis was good, the road wasn’t easy.” He was fortunate to be referred to The Royal Marsden Hospital, one of our TAP Centres, but his treatment spanned two hospitals. He first battled sepsis at St Mary’s, followed by pneumonia at The Marsden. Even during his time at St Mary’s, the dedicated team at The Marsden closely monitored his progress – a level of care that has continued ever since.
Now in remission, Mike still requires monitoring, as Hairy Cell Leukaemia remains incurable. But he remains hopeful:
“Who knows? A little bit of the money we raise by doing this marathon may change that – not only for me but for so many others. As the saying (nearly) goes, ‘a few thousand small steps for me, and a great leap for mankind…’”
Every mile run and every pound raised brings us closer to breakthroughs in life-saving treatments and research. Hairy Cell Leukaemia, like many forms of blood cancer, has seen significant advancements in treatment over the years, but more work is needed to improve therapies and find a cure.
Donate to Mike’s JustGiving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/michael-reay-1732903570962
Running 25 marathons in 25 days to raise funds for Cure Leukaemia. Starting on April 27th with the London Marathon and finishing on May 21st in his hometown of Hull, Sam is pushing his physical and mental limits to support life-saving research.
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