When Elan Clayton watched his nine-year-old son Kurtis break the finished tape at Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life last year, he feared it could be for the last time.
Back then the father-of-four was being treated for stage-four bowel cancer which had spread to his liver.
Doubtful he’d be around to see his youngest three children grow up, Elan, 57, from Bushbury, Wolverhampton, wept at the sight of Kurtis galloping over the finish line covered in mud grinning from ear to ear.
Recovered cancer sufferer now fronting Race for Life
Ten months on and now free from cancer, Elan is fronting Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life alongside Kurtis and calling on people to join in one of this year’s events.
Money raised will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease – to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
It’s something Elan is passionate about – especially after being told his cancer might not be curable.
Elan given chemo drug Oxaliplatin
“If it wasn’t for research, I wouldn’t be here now so I’m a very proud dad,” said Elan, a chef, who was given a chemotherapy drug called Oxaliplatin which Cancer Research UK scientists helped to develop.
“When I was first diagnosed with cancer Kurtis told his mum he wanted to do something to help, so he came up with the idea to do Race for Life. He went onto the website and created a profile all by himself. He’s my little superhero – the Robin to my Batman.”
Wolverhampton’s Race for Life in West Park at 11am on Sunday May 18
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
Of the ten Midlands events taking place between May and July, Elan and Kurtis have been chosen to start Wolverhampton’s Race for Life in West Park at 11am on Sunday, May 18.
To enter, visit raceforlife.org
It will be a poignant moment for Elan who was first diagnosed with cancer in November 2023 after completing a bowel screening kit that came through the post.
Surgeons later discovered the cancer had spread to his liver just weeks after his diagnosis. He required an operation in November 2024 to remove part of his liver.
More than 33,000 people diagnose with cancer in WM each year
Every year around 33,700 people are diagnosed with cancer in the West Midlands.
Paula Young, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the West Midlands, said: “Sadly nearly half of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.”
