A Dunmow resident who survived bone cancer as a child is running the London Marathon to thank the hospital which saved his life.
Christian Knight, 31, will run the marathon on Sunday, April 23 to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Children's Charity.
At the age of 10, Christian started suffering from pain in his jaw, and was later diagnosed with bone cancer.
He said: "I was born healthy and stayed that way until I was 10, when I started developing what I can only describe as a locked jaw.
"I had a lot of pain down the right side of my face - it was so bad that I couldn’t even eat my Christmas dinner."
Christian was eventually referred to Middlesex Hospital, and was diagnosed after an MRI on a tumour in his jaw. He was then referred to GOSH for treatment.
He said: "I remember the doctors and nurses were excellent. My consultant was genuinely the calmest person I’ve ever met. She was so gentle and told me that they would look after me."
Christian's chemotherapy was successful, and he returned to GOSH for annual check-ups until the age of 18.
"GOSH is still a special place to me." he said. "My parents came to GOSH with a good impression and left with a better one for sure.
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"I’ve not got kids yet, but I imagine handing your child over to someone like that must be daunting. Mum was always so grateful to the staff there."
Money raised for GOSH in the marathon will help fund a new Children's Cancer Centre at the hospital, as part of the charity's 'Build it. Beat it' fundraising appeal.
Christian added: "Thoughts of doctors and nurses, all those I met on my journey, especially those children who didn’t make it, will keep me going.
"Fundraising for GOSH is my way of bringing something positive out of my illness, the run will be a celebration of life and a mark of respect for all of those at GOSH who gave me a second chance."
To sponsor Christian go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/christian-knight1.
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