Katy's marathon effort for her fellow patients

A mum living with a rare form of blood cancer is planning to run the London Marathon.

Katy Brinicombe was diagnosed with polycythaemia vera, which affects the bone marrow, in 2016, and has been having treatment since then.

She took up running to prove to herself she could, and ran her first half marathon in 2019. Since then she has been desperate for a place in the London Marathon, and will run to raise money for Blood Cancer UK.

Katy, 45, who works part-time as a teacher, said: “When I am running I feel like I am defying the odds; that I am not ill and I won’t be beaten.

“I run so people can see what can happen if you don’t let something define you. I have this condition but I am going to live my life as best I can.

“At the moment it is well-controlled so I run for me and with all fellow patients in my mind - I do it for all of us whilst I can.”

The mum of three, who lives in St Margaret’s, near Dover, finds running helps with her physical and mental health.

She said: “I don’t ever find it easy, and I spend most of my time on a run wondering why I am doing it.

“But the euphoria of beating my own mindset is amazing, and it helps with anxiety and lets me forget whatever else is going on.

“It keeps my blood stable and I only need occasional treatment now, usually when I haven’t run for a few weeks. I’m very grateful to my fantastic medical team led by Dr Catherine Roughley.”

Catherine and the team at East Kent Hospitals help Katy stay well and support her to achieve her ambitions – whether that is returning to work or running a marathon.

Katy said: “Thanks to Catherine and her super team, life has been able to return to some kind of normal. I don’t have the same kind of energy I had before this but I am so much better.

“They are absolutely phenomenal. They have never patronised me. They listen to my worries and concerns, and don’t deter me from anything I want to do – instead they help me work out a sensible way to do it.

“I have never experienced anything but the best care and it is because of that I am able to even think about running a marathon.”

Katy initially set herself a £2,000 target, and has already achieved that. You can add to her sponsorship at https://www.justgiving.com/page/katy-brinicombe-1691506387939