Former Blackpool Gazette reporter diagnosed with stage four cancer at 35 takes on epic charity run challenge
A former Blackpool Gazette reporter diagnosed with stage four cancer at just 35 is taking on an epic running challenge to raise money for lifesaving research.
Paul Berentzen, a former Gazette reporter and news editor, has signed up to run 5km on ten days in March to support Cancer Research UK.
The challenge comes after a gruelling year in which he spent seven weeks in hospital and underwent chemotherapy after being diagnosed with stage four lymphoma.
Paul said he was “completely blindsided” by the diagnosis early last year.
Most of his hospital stay was spent struggling to breathe without medical support.
Writing on his fundraising page, he said: “We all hope we never need cancer treatment. At 35, I had no idea that would be why I was suddenly getting short of breath.”
After months of treatment, Paul received the news he had been hoping for.
“Thanks to the support of my family, and the fantastic work of my doctors and nurses, I found out in October that I am in complete remission,” he said.
Over the past year he has slowly been rebuilding his strength after treatment left him exhausted and struggling with everyday tasks.
He said that when he first returned home from hospital, even making a cup of tea or climbing the stairs left him drained.
Now he hopes the running challenge will show how far he has come while helping others facing cancer.
“I have no idea how my body will react to this challenge,” he said.
“But if I can beat cancer, I can manage a few 5km runs, surely.”
Paul has already completed two runs and says the second was easier than the first, although he admits his fitness is still far from where it once was.
His fundraising page has already raised more than £2,700, with additional Gift Aid donations bringing the total to more than £3,200.
Paul began his journalism career at the North West Evening Mail before joining The Gazette in 2013.
During his time at the paper he won national recognition, scooping three National Council for the Training of Journalists excellence awards and being named Trainee Reporter of the Year.
He later worked as a press officer before returning to The Gazette as news editor, eventually leaving the paper again in 2021.
Sharing his story online, Paul urged people to support cancer research if they could.
He said: “If I can beat cancer, I can do this.”