Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Cancer survivors in 5k park run to raise cash for treatment clinic
TWO Perth men who battled cancer together are taking on a fundraising run to give back to their treatment clinic.
Bob Tocher and Iain Macleod will be participating in the Perth 5km Park Run on Saturday May 11 to raise money for the haematology and oncology clinic at Perth Royal Infirmary.
While the pair crossed paths a few times as police officers in the 1980s, they found themselves on a different journey when diagnosed with cancer.
Bob was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer, in 2020, while Iain was told he had bowel cancer in 2018.
Now, having survived the disease, the friends hope to show their gratitude for the support they received by raising as much as possible for the clinic that treated them.
Bob said: “The consultants and nursing staff at the clinic work tirelessly to provide treatments to many people with all forms of cancer.
“I was diagnosed in late 2020 with myeloma, an incurable yet treatable cancer of the bone marrow.
“After going through chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant I thankfully now live a mostly normal life.
“The care I received at the clinic was outstanding, I can’t thank the team enough for both the physical and emotional support.”
Iain says the pair view it as an “exciting challenge”.
He said: “Cancer, various forms of treatment, and significant surgery have all had an impact on us, but we are both determined to do this.
“In March this year I became a national statistic as someone to have survived a stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis and to have survived five years or more.
“Like Bob, my initial diagnosis in 2018 was that the cancer was incurable.
“Chemotherapy changed that, which got me to lifesaving surgery.
“I wanted to do something to give back to the haematology and oncology clinic.
“I have so many parts of NHS Tayside I want to thank but there was something very special about my time being treated at the clinic.”
Shelley Mccarthy, charity chief officer of NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation, said: “Now more than ever support like this from patients past and present leaves a lasting legacy through donations or contributions to services.
“We are extremely grateful to Bob and Iain and wish them all the best with this challenge.”
Donations can be made through Just Giving.