For most people, training for the London Marathon is a monumental physical challenge. For Stephen Curnow, it’s a celebration of life, a tribute to medical progress, and a defiant stand against the disease he lives with every single day.
Stephen is currently preparing to take on the 26.2-mile course through the streets of the capital to raise vital funds for Cure Leukaemia. But unlike many on the starting line, Stephen isn’t just running for a cause, he is a living testament to why that cause matters.
Stephen’s journey with blood cancer began in 2020, just as the world was retreating into the first COVID-19 lockdown. While the public dealt with the uncertainty of a global pandemic, Stephen was facing a personal crisis: a diagnosis of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML).
“That period was obviously a very difficult one for me and my family. The isolation of lockdown, combined with the fear of a life-threatening illness, created a daunting mountain to climb. However, five years on, Stephen isn’t just surviving; he is thriving, fuelled by a desire to give back to the community that saved him.
Stephen is open about the reality of his condition. To keep the cancer at bay, he remains on chemotherapy – a treatment he will likely continue for the rest of his life. Yet, rather than letting the diagnosis define his limitations, he uses it as his motivation.
“Treatments like mine haven’t always been available. Twenty years ago, people with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia were lucky to survive five years. My diagnosis was now just over five years ago. It’s thanks to organisations like Cure Leukaemia that such good treatments and outcomes exist.”
It is a sobering statistic that highlights the Cure Leukaemia mission to fund pioneering research and clinical trials. By lacing up his running shoes, Stephen is directly supporting the Research Nurses who make these life-saving breakthroughs possible.
The London Marathon represents Stephen’s biggest physical challenge yet. Having not run a half-marathon in nearly a decade, the jump to a full 26.2 miles has required gruelling early mornings and late-night sessions to clock the necessary mileage.
Stephen’s story has already touched the hearts of many. Having surpassed his initial fundraising target, he continues to push forward, knowing that every pound raised goes toward clinical trials that could result in the next “miracle” treatment for a fellow patient.
You can support Stephen’s journey and help fund life-saving research by visiting his JustGiving page: Stephen Curnow – London Marathon 2026