By Andrew Clarke

Last updated at 13:49, Thursday, 30 August 2012

A FORMER St Benedict’s School pupil’s brave battle with cancer has inspired a community to stage a fundraising challenge.

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David Adamson, 26, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2010, and has since been undergoing extensive chemo-therapy and radiotherapy.

Moved by David’s story – which he details in his blog Keep Calm And Chemo On – regulars of The Stork Hotel in Rowrah completed a sponsored walk around Ennerdale Lake and raised £856 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

This was added to a £500 donation from the Sellafield Contractors’ Group and presented to the charity.

“The Stork has been our local since we moved to Lamplugh three years ago,” said David’s mother, Janet Lancaster.

“They have been really supportive since David’s diagnosis and wanted to feel like they were doing something positive so organised the walk to raise some money.”

In November 2010, David – who now lives in London with his girlfriend Jo – had a successful stem cell transplant from his sister, Katie, which continues to keep his bone marrow and blood in remission.

“Unfortunately in February this year, he relapsed as a tumour made up of leukaemic cells was discovered in his chest,” said Janet.

“He was given a new chemotherapy drug called Nelarabine, which specifically targets T-cell leukaemia – the type that David has. It’s thanks to charities like Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research that drugs are created and treatment for blood cancers continues to improve.”

Following recent chemo-therapy and radiotherapy, David aims to cycle 75 miles around the Olympic course on September 16 to raise more money that can be used to try and beat blood cancers.

To sponsor Dave visit www.justgiving.com/dave-adamson, and read his blog at daveadamson.wordpress.com.

First published at 11:10, Thursday, 30 August 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk