Toby’s marathon story: From having his windpipe blocked by tumours to running 26.2 miles

Toby Bentley, 25, from London, received a shock diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma on the day of the Virgin Money London Marathon in 2017. Two years on, and now cancer free, Toby is training hard to take on the 26.2 miles challenge in aid of CLIC Sargent.

Toby said: “It was from the first day of being diagnosed that I was inspired to sign up for the marathon. It happened to be the day of the London Marathon and I was stood alone on London Bridge. I can remember it so vividly.

“I was in my robe and then there was everyone finishing the marathon with their medals and that’s when I promised myself I would do that. I had spent my first night in intensive care as tumours had narrowed my airways. I couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs without being breathless and now I know I will finish the London Marathon like I have finished my treatment.”

Toby was on a ski holiday with friends when he first noticed something wasn’t right. He visited his doctor and what was initially thought to be a chest infection, turned out to be stage 3/4 Hodgkin lymphoma.

“I had been suffering from a chesty cough for a while and so I visited my doctor a few times but they just kept sending me away with antibiotics and an inhaler – diagnosing it as a chest infection. Being young and otherwise healthy, I kept thinking I’ll be fine.

“As time went on however, I was really struggling for breath and was throwing up. I just kept thinking there is something wrong with me and so I went back to the GP.”

Toby was eventually told he had Hodgkin lymphoma, with growths around his windpipe and chest, which had spread down to his belly button. Once diagnosed, his treatment started quickly at Guy’s Hospital in London.

“No one really warned me how bad chemo and the side effects would be. I wasn’t able to sleep or breathe properly. Everything just hurt and I had months of just trying to get through every day.”

Toby went into remission at the end of 2017. Last year he had a one year scan that confirmed he is still clear of cancer.

While he was receiving treatment, Toby was supported by CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading charity for young cancer patients and their families.

“Friends can treat you a bit like you’re in a zoo as they don’t know what to say, but Liz, my CLIC Sargent community worker, made me feel less like a victim and normal – and realise I’m still just a young person going through something bad – but I don’t need to be defined by that.

“If it hadn’t been for Liz and CLIC Sargent, I think I would have just drifted through my treatment and felt alienated. She was just there for me to both emotionally and practically support me.”

Toby is now back at work full time in London where he works as a financial adviser and is now training for the marathon in his spare time. He has signed up to take on the challenge as part of a team of five, alongside his girlfriend Emily, brothers Chris and George, and friend Nikola. Together they have already raised more than £15,000.

“You never know how much a charity can help you until it happens to you. I was lucky I wasn’t too financially affected by my cancer and had family and friends to support me. I have seen that not everyone is so lucky. I want to help others have the support I did and have access to whatever they need.”

To sponsor and support Toby’s marathon challenge, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/toby-bentley.

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CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families.

To find out more about how we help young people cope with the impact of cancer, please visit our what we do section. If you need support yourself please contact us using our online enquiry form or call 0300 330 0803. 

For more information about CLIC Sargent, an interview or images, please contact Jessica Rees on 0117 311 2659 or email jessica.rees@younglivesvscancer.org.uk. Out of hours contact 08448 481189.

About cancer in children and young people 
Today, 12 more children and young people in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years. Although survival rates are over 80%, cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children and young people in the UK. 
 
About CLIC Sargent 
When cancer strikes young lives CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage cancer causes beyond their health. CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading charity for young cancer patients and their families. We provide specialist support, to help and guide each young cancer patient and their family. We will fight tirelessly for them, individually, locally and nationally. For more information, visit www.clicsargent.org.uk 
 
Note to sub-editors 
Please note that the name ‘CLIC Sargent’ should not be abbreviated to CLIC, and that the word ‘CLIC’ should always appear in capitals, as above.