“This one’s for you, Grandad” Blaydon blood cancer survivor laces up for the Great North Run
North East
25-year-old Ben Henderson from Blaydon took on the iconic Great North Run in support of Blood Cancer UK. He’s running in memory of his beloved grandad, Ian, who died earlier this year following a fight with blood cancer.
Ben, who himself survived blood cancer - Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of the disease. He was diagnosed at just three years old, and says the challenge is not only a personal milestone but a heartfelt tribute.
We were inseparable, and this run is my way of saying thank you.”
- Ben Henderson
“I wish my Grandad Ian could see me now, I’m lacing up my trainers and taking on 13.1 miles for Blood Cancer UK because he was my biggest supporter – not just as a grandparent, but as a father figure. We were inseparable, and this run is my way of saying thank you.”
Ian was one of Ben’s fiercest advocates during his cancer battle, pushing for second opinions, treatment, and ultimately helping save his grandson’s life.
“Without my Mam, Grandma and Grandad fighting for me – and the amazing team at Newcastle’s RVI – I wouldn’t be here. Surviving blood cancer is my proudest achievement, and now I can give back to the charity that helped save me. I know he’d be cheering me on, probably telling me not to trip over my own feet!”
Ben Henderson with his Grandad Ian
Ben, a civil servant, was inspired to take on the race after watching last year’s runners storm through South Shields. “I felt this powerful urge to be part of it – to honour Grandad and support Blood Cancer UK. I thought, 13.1 miles... what could possibly go wrong?”
Ben has been a life-long Newcastle United fan and met the team as a young cancer survivor during Kevin Keegan’s tenure as manager of the club. Now alongside his day job, he is a proud match day health and safety steward supervisor for the Magpies.
“Training while working a couple of jobs has nearly broken me, but each mile reminds me of how far I’ve come. The same little legs that carried me to chemo all those years ago are now carrying me through this.”
When I cross that finish line, yes – I’ll be dreaming of a cold beer and a curry – but really I’ll be thinking about why I started"
- Ben Henderson
Ben said: “When I cross that finish line, yes – I’ll be dreaming of a cold beer and a curry – but really I’ll be thinking about why I started. I’m running to honour those we’ve lost, lift up those still fighting, and prove we can rewrite the future of blood cancer. If I could say one thing to Grandad, it’s that I hope I’ve made him proud. I’ll see him at the finish line. This one’s for him.”
Blood Cancer UK is the national charity funds lifesaving research and provides support for everyone affected by blood cancer, the fifth most common cancer in the UK. During Blood Cancer Awareness Month this September it’s launched it’s “We know what it takes” campaign to raise awareness of blood cancer.
Hannah Jackson, Lead Fundraising Manager in the North from Blood Cancer UK said:
“We’re so inspired by Ben’s story, because we know how much it takes to lace up your trainers, share something so personal, and run 13.1 miles in memory of someone you love. Blood cancer UK is the third biggest cancer killer and our campaign, ‘We know what it takes’, shines a light on the real experiences of people affected by blood cancer to raise awareness and show what it takes from people.
“Because of people like Ben, we can fund the research that brings us closer to new treatments, and provide support for families facing blood cancer today. We’re so grateful to him, and to every supporter who stands with us – because together, we can beat blood cancer.”
For more information about the ‘We know what it takes’ campaign, and how you can get involved, visit https://bloodcancer.org.uk/takes
You can support Ben’s run by visiting his JustGiving page here.
