Lincolnshire's Fighting Fit Champion Clare preps for 2025 London Marathon run to raise funds for Lymphoma Action
- Introducing Claire: Marathon Runner: Claire introduces herself and her family's fundraising efforts.
- Michael's Running Inspiration: Her son Michael's running achievements inspired her return.
- Running After Cancer: Running again after chemotherapy brought immense relief.
- Discovering Fighting Fit: Finding a running group after moving locations.
- Joining Fighting Fit: Overcoming nervousness to join the group.
- First Fighting Fit Run: Initial run with the group was a positive experience.
- Benefits of Group Running: The running group improved confidence and well-being.
- Impact of Support Activities: Discussing the positive impact of community activities.
- Living Life After Cancer: Appreciating life and support after remission.
- Joining Grantham Run Club: Expanding social connections beyond cancer support.
- Sharing Cancer Story: Choosing when to share her cancer diagnosis.
- Fundraising for Lymphoma Action: Raising money and awareness for lymphoma.
- Lymphoma Action's Support: Receiving crucial support during COVID-19.
- Online Support Resources: Utilizing online resources and support groups.
- Lymphoma Action Buddy System: Connecting with a buddy for personalized support.
- Future Running Plans: Planning future running adventures overseas.
- Inspirational Running Goals: Gaining confidence for overseas running adventures.
- Farewell and Gratitude: Concluding the conversation with thanks.
Detailed Summary
This is an interview with Clare, a 56-year-old woman who is training for the 2025 London Marathon to raise money for Lymphoma Action. She is nearly four years out from completing treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Background and Diagnosis
Clare has a husband and three grown-up sons. Her family is actively involved in raising money for Lymphoma Action. She previously ran the London Marathon 11 years ago, but this time it's under very different circumstances due to her cancer diagnosis.
Her youngest son, Michael, ran the London Marathon in 2023 and also ran from John O'Groats to Land's End via the Three Peaks, setting a fastest known time of 19 days and a couple of hours, also to raise awareness for Lymphoma Action. Michael's achievements inspired Clare to run again.
Clare enjoyed running before her cancer diagnosis, finding it a way to cope when her mother was ill with cancer. After her diagnosis in 2020, she initially feared she wouldn't be able to run again. After completing chemotherapy, she was relieved to be able to run even a short distance. Running is important for her mental health.
Fighting Fit and Community
Clare participates in the "Fighting Fit" 5K run at Belton House in Grantham. After moving to Lincolnshire for a fresh start post-treatment, she wanted to meet people and found the event advertised in the Grantham Journal. She was initially nervous but found the group welcoming and supportive. The group has helped her regain confidence and enjoy running again.
While she enjoys catching up with people at the monthly Fighting Fit meetings, work commitments prevent her from participating in other connected groups. She appreciates bumping into people from the group in town. She believes more people should join, but understands the initial apprehension some may feel.
Impact on Health and Resilience
Being part of the Fighting Fit group and training for the marathon has positively impacted Clare's physical and mental health, making her feel more positive and resilient. She feels privileged to be in remission and appreciates the understanding and strength she gains from being with others who have experienced cancer.
She has also joined Grantham Run Club, expanding her social circle beyond cancer-related activities. She doesn't feel the need to disclose her cancer diagnosis unless it comes up in conversation, preferring to be seen simply as "Claire."
Fundraising for Lymphoma Action
Clare is running for Lymphoma Action. Her family has already raised over £11,000 through various challenges, largely due to Michael's efforts. She emphasises that any donation, large or small, is greatly appreciated. Lymphoma is the 5th most common cancer, with someone diagnosed every 28 minutes, and there are over 60 different types.
Clare knew little about blood cancer before her diagnosis. Lymphoma Action provided crucial support, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when she had to attend chemotherapy appointments alone. They offered knowledge, literature, and a closed Facebook support group where she could ask questions and connect with others. She also had a "buddy" through Lymphoma Action, someone with a similar type of lymphoma, whom she could call or text for support.
Future Plans
After the London Marathon in April, Clare plans to continue running if her legs allow. She wants to travel overseas and run in different cities, starting with somewhere like Palma in Spain. She is considering a half marathon as her maximum distance. Her goal is to have the confidence to travel and explore new places through running.
The interviewer expresses admiration for Clare's inspirational efforts and wishes her good luck for the marathon, hoping she raises plenty of money and enjoys the experience.
Overview
- Clare, a 56-year-old non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, is running the 2025 London Marathon to raise funds for Lymphoma Action, marking her return to running after her diagnosis and treatment.
- Clare highlights the importance of support networks like Lymphoma Action and the Fighting Fit group in regaining confidence, building resilience, and finding community after a cancer diagnosis, emphasizing the positive impact on her mental and physical health.
- Clare's fundraising efforts, supported by her family's past challenges, aim to raise awareness and funds for Lymphoma Action, a crucial resource that provided her with knowledge, support, and connection during a lonely time in treatment, especially during COVID-19.
Sentiment Analysis
The overall sentiment of the transcript is overwhelmingly positive and optimistic. Clare expresses gratitude for her remission, excitement about the upcoming London Marathon, and appreciation for the support she's received from Lymphoma Action and the running community. Her tone is upbeat and resilient, even when discussing the challenges of her cancer diagnosis and treatment. The interviewer's comments also contribute to the positive sentiment, expressing admiration and offering encouragement.
Technical Summary
The transcript is primarily a personal narrative. It features an interview with Clare, a lymphoma survivor, about her experiences with cancer, running, and fundraising for Lymphoma Action. The discussion revolves around her diagnosis, treatment, recovery, participation in the Fighting Fit program, training for the London Marathon, and her motivations for raising money for Lymphoma Action. The content is generally non-technical and easily understandable by a general audience.
Darren's story-Hopes and dreams
Overview
Summary of Personal Reflections and Aspirations
The speaker shares their aspirations and journey towards becoming a supportive figure, particularly focusing on supporting mentally ill or single parents. They express a affinity for working with children and describe their playful interactions with nieces and nephews.
Support and Encouragement
<ul>
<li>Sam from Groundworks helped the speaker get started on their supportive journey.</li>
<li>The speaker appreciates the positive feedback they received on their energy and genuineness.</li>
<li>The supportive groups they are involved in have become their focus, offering them a path to a better life.</li>
</ul>
Personal Challenges and Growth
<ul>
<li>Despite challenges with their family, the speaker emphasizes thinking independently and not being dragged back into negativity.</li>
<li>They reflect on their upbringing, highlighting strict rules that kept them out of trouble.</li>
<li>There are unresolved family issues, including strained relations with their father.</li>
</ul>
The speaker also discusses the perception of their genuineness, often being told they are "too nice." They believe in living life independently and being a positive, respectful human being. They express pride in themselves and those who have supported them, acknowledging the changes in their life and the improvements they’ve seen.
The speaker concludes by suggesting that life gives us the tools and strength to be independent and genuine, emphasizing the value of being nice and authentic in their journey.
Lizzie's story-overcoming struggles
Overview
Key Insights:
<ol>
<li>Lizzie has lived in Stockport for about 15 years, specifically in the Reddish area for the past 12 years.</li>
<li>Despite facing challenges since moving to Mapo, Lizzie has not allowed them to break her and instead has used them to build herself up through community work and raising her children as a single mother.</li>
<li>Lizzie's children have grown up to be calm, peaceful, and respectful individuals, which she attributes to the supportive community in Mapo.</li>
</ol>
Sensor Glove Visit - Operative Births Parents Group
Overview
Key Insights from Birth Parents Group Visit to UCL Lab
<ol>
<li>The Birth Parents group visited the UCL lab to learn about and discuss the development of a new sensor glove designed to aid birthing teams in determining the baby's position during labor, ultimately aiming for safer deliveries.</li>
<li>The visit provided a valuable opportunity for the group to connect with researchers and clinicians, share their own birth experiences, and understand the potential impact of the sensor glove, highlighting the importance of incorporating lived experience into technological innovation.</li>
<li>Participants expressed awe and excitement at witnessing the collaborative, multidisciplinary effort behind the sensor glove's creation, emphasizing its potential to positively transform the birth experience globally.</li>
</ol>
On March 6th, 2023, the Birth Parents group visited the UCL lab at Charles Bell House to learn about the new sensor glove being developed. The glove aims to help birthing teams determine the baby's head position during labor.
The group met with researchers and clinicians, sharing their birth experiences and discussing how the glove could have impacted those experiences. This highlighted the importance of incorporating lived experience into the development process.
The visit allowed the group to witness the collaborative effort behind the glove's creation and its potential to improve the birth experience for many people worldwide.