A chef who was the youngest-ever person to be diagnosed with a particular form of cancer – and almost died – is ready to run a half-marathon on Sunday.
And Rob Green has celebrity backing for the Perkins Great Eastern Run in Peterborough – comedian and social media star Dapper Laughs has pledged £500.
Rob was just ten years old when doctors at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston were shocked to discover that the cause of his pain was a tumour on his bladder.
He was a pupil at West Pinchbeck Primary School and so young that it was suspected that the problem lie with his appendix.
Rob, now 25, was about to go to theatre when the tumour was spotted.
He said: “I was just coming down the stairs one day when a cramp came on in my stomach. I was in absolute agony and could hardly breathe.
“I was booked in to have my appendix out when someone higher up examined me and had to break the news to my mum and dad that it was cancer.”
Rob underwent keyhole surgery to burn away the tumour. But that was not the end of his troubles. Just three weeks later he began passing blood in his urine, and soon it began “flowing out”.
He was rushed back to hospital and into the operating theatre. It was touch and go with the amount of blood which he had lost.
Rob said: “I was the youngest to have ever had that type of cancer. They asked my parents if they could film the operation and the video is still used now in medical training.”
Now head chef at Spalding eaterie The Loft, Rob has two sons – Riley (5) and Dylan (4) – with wife Rebecca.
He is likely to require check-ups for the rest of his life, but has been clear for 15 years. And now weighing in at 20 stone, Rob knows the 13-mile run will be a big challenge.
He said: “I’ve had no training and am currently 5st overweight but I am going to smash this for children and young people with cancer.”
Dapper Laughs offered £500 sponsorship after Rob, of Pennygate, replied to a social media message and offered to run the half-marathon for Clic Sargent.
Then Peterborough firm Personalized Printz got in touch to offer to produce his running shirt with logos free of charge. Any company wanting their logo on it in exchange for a donation can contact Rob via The Loft.
To make a donation to his online sponsorship click here.
