Skin cancer leads Melbourn’s James to marathon challenge
James Lovelace will be running the London Marathon after being diagnosed with skin cancer Melanoma. - Credit: Archant
After his world fell apart when he was diagnosed with skin cancer last year, a Melbourn commercial director and dad of two wants to give something back to a charity that helped him through some of his darkest moments.
When James Lovelace discovered a mole on the back of his leg around March last year, doctors at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge delivered the shock verdict that he had life-threatening melanoma, and that diagnosis was just the start of many painful months of operations and uncertainty.
He said: “My world fell apart. It was completely surreal. At the time I became a bit of a recluse and had thoughts of ending my own life. I was a typical bloke and didn’t want to talk to anyone, so I would wait for someone to get in touch.”
In July, he was given the news he had been waiting for – he was clear of cancer.
The 41-year-old said: “I was quite relieved to say the least. I had this euphoria for about two days.”
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James is aware that the cancer can reappear at any point in the future, and he still has to go back every three months for check-ups, but he has a new outlook and wants to make the most out of opportunities that life bring him.
That’s why he’s donning his running trainers for the London Marathon next month.
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He said: “I wanted to do something to raise awareness of the dangers of skin cancer and to raise some funds as well.
“The furthest I’ve ever run was three miles when I was 15. It sounds like a cliché, but this is my opportunity to try to give something back.”
James says he was never a ‘massive sun worshipper’, but he used be a bit blasé about applying sun cream, which is why he wants others to start being safer in the sun.
He said: “I can’t believe now that some of my friends post pictures on the internet soaking up the rays. They probably think: ‘He’s unlucky’.
“Macmillan were really supportive throughout. They were there whenever I needed them.
“I wanted to do something positive out of something pretty negative. I appreciate small things, like family time.
“I just want to be healthy. I’m trying to be less judgemental too.”
To sponsor James, click here.
