Troy’s running marathon to raise cash for cancer unit

A cancer survivor is set to run the Brighton marathon to raise money for the team who cared for him – and raise awareness about testicular cancer.

Troy Randall, from Masons Hill, Bromley, will take on his first marathon in support of Guy’s Cancer Charity, after being treated at the Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital last year.

After noticing a lump in November 2020, Troy saw his GP and was referred for an ultrasound. Doctors found that Troy had a tumour on his testicle.

After undergoing an operation at his local hospital to remove it in January 2021, a biopsy found that the tumour removed was an aggressive form of cancer.

Troy was referred to the Cancer Centre at Guy’s to undergo a course of chemotherapy to reduce the chances of the malignancy returning – a process that was not quite straightforward, but ultimately life-saving.

The 30-year-old said: “I was lucky in some regards, because they caught the cancer early. This meant I only had to undergo one cycle of chemo over 21 days. It could have been a very different story if I’d not seen a doctor when I first spotted the lump.”

Despite feeling mentally strong enough to cope with the chemotherapy, it took a toll on his body almost straight away.

Troy said: “After the first course, I thought I was alright, but as the day went on, I started feeling quite sick. Once I got in the car to leave the Cancer Centre, I blacked out and my parents said my eyes had rolled back as though I was having a seizure.

“I was taken by ambulance to A&E, where I stayed until later that night. I was told this sometimes happens to people due to a reaction to the first dose of chemotherapy. When I came in for my next doses, the team managed me carefully with different drugs and support to ensure it didn’t happen again.”

Throughout Troy’s treatment, he found it difficult to eat and lost a lot weight. He said: “It was a really rough time and I was glad when the 21 days were over.

Troy is now cancer-free and is looking forward to his wedding to fiancé Sophie in July this year.

To show his gratitude for the care he received, Troy will be joined by Sophie and his brother Shane to take on the Brighton Marathon on Sunday.
To donate to Troy’s fundraiser, visit JustGiving.

Pictured top: Troy with fiance, Sophie