Cancer gives Kyle a reason to run

Kyle Llewellyn, who was diagnosed with cancer twice as a teenager, will stare adversity in the face again this September as he undertakes the notorious 4x4x48 Challenge.

Kyle, 20, from Rosebud, will run 4 miles (6.4kms), every 4 hours for 48 hours straight on 29-30 September to mark the end of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

He wants to encourage children with cancer around the country to focus on something positive to help get them through their treatment and to never lose sight of their goals.

Kyle is also raising money for Redkite, which supported him and his mother through his two cancer diagnoses.

Kyle was first diagnosed with Stage 1 Hodgkin’s lymphoma when he was 11 years old and underwent a number of surgeries to remove the cancer in his groin.

“The cancer was localised and fortunately I was in remission after those operations,” Kyle said.

Kyle was able to enjoy a full three years of being a normal kid until he was suddenly re-diagnosed with cancer in 2014, when he was 14. This time it was Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“I was pretty shocked with my second diagnosis. I was extremely disappointed because of all the things I was going to miss out on. I was playing sport and I was in the middle of exams at school. I felt angry and sad that I wasn’t going to be able to play sport with my friends or study,” he said.

Kyle underwent a six-month, gruelling chemotherapy regime and at 15 years old, was told his cancer had gone into remission for the second time.

“I had to undergo chemotherapy, instead of just surgeries, to treat the cancer. It was far more intense. I kept trying to stay positive and to think how good it would be to play with my friends again and go to school.”

Kyle has already raised $2000 with his ‘Kids with Cancer’ fundraiser and hopes to raise $5000 by the end of September. If Victoria’s curfew is still in effect at the end of the month, Kyle will do his running on a treadmill at home.

“Redkite were amazing. They provided my mum with financial assistance and counselling. We also received a Red Bag, during my first few days at hospital during my second time fighting cancer. I also got to go to a number of sporting events, and I was always excited to go to those.

To support Kyle please visit his donation page