A TRANSPLANT patient is putting his best foot forward to celebrate the gift of life.
Simon Perkin from Warwick was told his life was on a ‘knife edge’ after he was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2012.
Doctors warned him his only chance of survival was a bone marrow transplant, and charity Anthony Nolan Trust eventually matched him with a donor.
The 53-year-old – who is a director for Leamington ParkRun – will pound the pavements of Birmingham on Sunday (May 6) as part of the Simplyhealth 10k.
He says he is running to thank those who put themselves on the donor register, with one of those who donated their bone marrow saving his life.
Simon – who plans to take part in the British Transplant Games later this year – said: “I am only alive and able to run in May because a kind stranger decided to step forward and donate their bone marrow.
“I was staring death in the face but now I am probably fitter and healthier than I have ever been in my life.
“I would urge anyone to do the sign up to the donor register because sadly, every day, three people die in the UK because they can’t find a donor.
“I am running to say a big thank you to these people – the real heroes.”
Visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk to sign up to the organ donation register and www.anthonynolan.org to find out more about the bone marrow register.
