On the eve of what should have been (if no COVID) the 2020 Melbourne Marathon festival, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. This manifested itself as an 8cm tumour on my lower spine. Over the next six months I was treated at the Cabrini Hospital under the excellent care of the Blood Unit and am now 18 months in remission.
In 2022, after months of intense remediation, exercise physiology and physiotherapy, I was finally able to resume running which, from only being able to walk with the support of stick the year before, was an amazing breakthrough. Unfortunately the damage caused by the tumour to the nerves down my right side resulted in a torn meniscus to the right knee and the need for minor surgery. After that, with more physiotherapy, rehabilitation and a few other false starts I’m finally ready and have been back running and training to take on the challenge of the planned Melbourne Half Marathon which will take place on Sunday 15 October.
I am still not as quick as I was back in 2020, but without the expert care of the Cabrini and the Blood Unit I would not be able to undertake this challenge and as a gesture to them I am starting this fundraiser for Lymphoma research.
Since being diagnosed with a form of Lymphoma cancer, I have learnt of friends and friends of family who too have had to battle this disease. It is not easily detected and is commonly only discovered when it manifests itself as a secondary tumour in the body.
Anything you can contribute to support the ongoing research into prevention and treatment so that others can benefit would be greatly appreciated.
Matthew Richardson
