John reaches his 100th parkrun a year after a transplant

John Osborn has completed his 100th parkrun at Torbay Velopark, a year after a stem-cell transplant for myeloma. Staff from the hospital that treated him joined him for the milestone.

The 65-year-old from Paignton began rebuilding his running in May after chemotherapy and the transplant. Having a familiar community event gave him a personal goal to work towards.

His treatment is part of the RADAR trial, which studies how myeloma care can be adjusted to patients’ genetic risk and response to initial therapy. The study includes transplants using patients’ own stem cells and tests different subsequent drug combinations.

John’s recovery is one person’s experience, not proof that the trial’s approach is better. Myeloma remains an incurable cancer, and returning to running does not mean the disease has been cured.

For him, the achievement is about regaining something he enjoys. With hospital staff alongside him, a goal set during treatment became a finish line he could reach with others.

Sources

• BBC — Cancer patient does 100th parkrun after transplant
• Health Research Authority — RADAR study design