A Pembrokeshire man whose mum has survived cancer twice is taking on a half marathon for Macmillan to thank the charity for the help they gave her and his family.
Dan Blyth, of Hakin, is swapping the couch for the Cardiff Half Marathon in October to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The charity supported his mum Tracy when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and when the illness returned last year.
Macmillan gave Tracy benefits advice, in depth information and a Macmillan grant to cover the increased costs that can come with a cancer diagnosis.
Dan, who is 26, said: “I remember the consultant telling us it was cancer and my mum was braver than I can say.
“Months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed, in some ways it was worse than the initial cancer.
“It was awful. My mum, through it all, never ever let me or brother really see the pain she was in.
“Macmillan were amazing. The amount of support and information they provide is absolutely priceless.
“To hear my mum talk about them, even now, is uplifting.
“The service they provide to patients and their families is out this world. If I could give them everything, I would.”
In the years after Tracy’s first cancer diagnosis in 2012, Dan took on two fundraisers for Macmillan, the annual Pembrokeshire Dawn Walk and Brave the Shave.
He then decided to sign up for the Cardiff Half Marathon after his mother’s second diagnosis last year.
He said: “In 2018, the cancer came back. It was awful.
“The sense of foreboding was the worst and it happened at the same time that my mum had just lost her dad.
“But, again, Macmillan were straight there to offer support and help. From information on treatment to help with finances. Absolutely amazing.
“Thankfully, my mum is doing well and always will be my biggest supporter and best friend.
“If anything, the whole experience brought us closer and I could never thank Macmillan enough for that.”
Dan is now busy training to prepare for the 13.1-mile challenge in October and he is sharing his story and documenting his training through his Instagram page.
Richard Pugh, Head of Services for Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, said: “Macmillan is here to help everyone with cancer to live life as fully as they can and support from our amazing fundraisers like Dan helps us to be there to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
“For support, information, or just a chat, call Macmillan free on 0808 808 0000, visit macmillan.org.uk or pop into one of our information and support centres across the Hywel Dda health board area.”
You can sponsor Dan at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/getdanrunning and follow his story on Instagram at @getdanrunning.
