Sheffield man uses his own cancer diagnosis to help others with the disease

Darren Wilkinson is known for running various events, such as the annual Santa Run, for good causes alongside his wife Mel.

Just two weeks into 2020, Darren was diagnosed with a massive tumour in his jaw which is so rare that just one person in about five million is ever diagnosed with it.

Despite this, he is determined to use his experience to help raise awareness of other bone cancers, and so on March 14 he is hosting the “St Paddy’s Day Purgatory (& a Pint!)” family fun run near Meadowhall, in aid of the Bone Cancer Research Trust.

Darren said: “There’s a long road of discovery ahead of me, so I have decided to take on this mission to raise vital funds and awareness for a brilliant but not very well known charitable organisation. On Saturday, March 14, we’ll be hosting a family 5km fun-run with an inflatable pub at the finish line and a bouncy castle for the kids. Fancy dress optional but encouraged.

“We turned the canal towpath red and white at Christmas with the Santa Run – this time we’re going to turn it green and orange for St Patrick’s Day and TeamBones.”

On March 20, Darren will be having life-changing surgery to remove not only the tumour but also around 90 per cent of his lower jaw and teeth to try to halt the spread of the disease known as Ameloblastoma, which has already eaten away a large part of his jaw.

Once the runners have all received their medals and personalised t-shirts, and are enjoying their celebratory drinks after the run, Darren is going to brave the shave and have his hair shaved off to raise funds for the Bone Cancer Research Trust. Two lucky raffle winners will have the opportunity to be a part of this by cutting his hair.

Darren said: “We’d love to see as many local families come down to support us all and to have some fun for what will be my last event for many months.”

During his surgery, Darren will be undergoing a procedure which will help him, hopefully, to grow a new jawbone in the next year.

Entry to the run is online at www.racebest.com/races/7g53t