Blackpool man who lost three family members to cancer set to run London Marathon

A man who lost three members of  his family to cancer is to pound the streets of London this Sunday in the hope of seeking a cure.
By Tim Gavell
Published 24th Apr 2019, 16:47 BST
Updated 24th Apr 2019, 16:55 BST
Mark Gray who is running the London Marathon to raise money for the Institute of Cancer ResearchMark Gray who is running the London Marathon to raise money for the Institute of Cancer Research
Mark Gray who is running the London Marathon to raise money for the Institute of Cancer Research

Mark Gray, of Marton, is taking part in the London Marathon for the Institute of Cancer Research.

He took up running a year ago to change to a healthier lifestyle after finding out that his family carried a rare gene which can cause cancer.

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Supermarket manager Mark, 47, said: “When I was 20 my dad died of cancer. Then my half brother Paul died of cancer a few years later. My older sister Vicky got breast cancer and died too.

Mark GrayMark Gray
Mark Gray

“My younger sister Laura also developed breast cancer. We realised something must be going on, so Laura had tests done and they found that dad was a carrier of LFS - Li-Fraumeni Syndrome which is rare and can lead to cancer.”

Mark was also found to be a carrier and, following the discovery of lesions on his lungs, he decided to change his lifestyle.

His weight fell three stone, to 13 stone after joining the Freedom Runners in Stanley Park. He aims to raise £3,000.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-gray8?utm_id=124

Related topics:BlackpoolLondonStanley Park