Rotherham Hospital patient who battled rare blood cancer takes on the Great North Run for hospital charity
Steven Bryan of Brinsworth, a former patient of Rotherham Hospital, will be putting his running shoes back on to take part in the Great North Run.
He will be running to raise money for the hospital that cared for him during his battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma back in 2017.
Steven underwent six months of chemotherapy at Rotherham Hospital and in October 2017, was overjoyed to ring the bell on Ward A6 to mark the end of his cancer journey.
After a challenging journey through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, Steven has turned his experience into a positive, by running various marathons to give back to the hospital that provided exceptional care and support during his illness. His next big charity milestone being The Great North Run on 8 September.
Steven, a self-employed plasterer said: “When I was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma it was a devastating shock. I started my chemotherapy treatment a few weeks later, which was a really tough time in my life.
"The care I received at Rotherham Hospital was incredible. The staff were so supportive throughout my entire treatment.”
Steven added “I’ve done a lot of fundraising over the years for Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity as a thank you to everyone at the hospital, particularly the nurses and volunteers on Ward A6, who looked after me so well.”
Steven will join 60,000 runners for the 13.1 mile run, at one of the UK’s most prestigious half marathons. His inspiring efforts will raise vital funds for Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity which funds projects and facilities within the hospital that the NHS cannot afford.
Rachael Dawes, Head of Fundraising at the charity said "We are incredibly proud of Steven, a much loved supporter here at the charity. His story is a testament to the strength and resilience of our patients, and his fundraising will make a huge difference to the Rotherham community, helping others going through difficult times like Steven did all those years ago.
“It is thanks to people like Steven that we can continue supporting the initiatives within the hospital that benefit the people of Rotherham.”
Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity plays a crucial role in supporting initiatives that go beyond the scope of NHS funding, ensuring patients receive the best possible care and experience. Donations help fund state-of-the-art medical equipment, enhance hospital environments, and support patient and staff wellbeing programs.
Steven’s fundraising page is still open for donations and every donation, big or small, makes a big difference.