13-year-old Oliver Papadakis from Marshfield, Newport, has set himself the ambitious challenge to run, skip and walk 90 miles in 90 days in a bid to raise funds for Myeloma UK, a charity close to his heart as his grandfather, Josef Parness, 74, also from Newport, was diagnosed with the incurable blood cancer myeloma five years ago. Oliver’s ultimate goal is to fund research into a cure.
The plucky teenager embarked on the challenge on Valentine’s Day and is due to reach the ‘finish line’ on May 14. He has covered 32 miles so far and raised a whopping £1,129 for Myeloma UK.
Oliver is hoping the challenge will help him fund vital research towards a cure, raise awareness of the symptoms of myeloma and achieve the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.
Oliver is a busy bee. Clocking in 90 miles and fitting the challenge around his busy schedule, GCSEs homework and many extracurricular activities has been a real juggling act at times. But the indefatigable teen squeezes in a quick jog up and down the road or a spin on the static bike any chance he gets – usually in the evenings.
Josef Parness, whose own mother passed away from myeloma, was diagnosed with the incurable blood cancer five years ago after an MRI scan picked up cracks in his the bones of his arms and legs. Thankfully the cancer was caught early and he started treatment straightaway.
Myeloma is an incurable blood cancer which kills 3,000 people each year in the UK.
Despite being the third most common type of blood cancer, it is especially difficult to detect as symptoms, including back pain, easily broken bones, fatigue and recurring infection, are often linked to general ageing or minor conditions.
While it is incurable, myeloma is treatable in the majority of cases. Treatment is aimed at controlling the disease, relieving the complications and symptoms it causes, and extending and improving patients’ quality of life.
Donate to Oliver’s JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ruth-parness?utm_id=124
