A 75-year-old woman from London, diagnosed with blood cancer, is determined to fulfill her dream of completing the London Marathon alongside her daughter after her initial attempt in 2023 was disrupted due to health issues. Pritpal Kaur, a sales assistant at Harrods, made her first marathon effort with her 45-year-old daughter Minreet Kaur, a freelance journalist. However, she had to withdraw from the race due to severe cramping and back pain shortly after starting.
Following months of persistent symptoms and medical visits, Pritpal received the shocking diagnosis of myeloma, a form of blood and bone marrow cancer, in September 2023. The NHS lists common signs of myeloma such as bone pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, headaches, and weight loss.
Having been an active individual throughout her life, Pritpal, who has been running since her thirties, was devastated when she couldn’t complete the London Marathon due to her health issues. Initially attributing her symptoms to marathon strain, she sought medical help but faced misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment.
After a series of medical consultations and tests, Pritpal was correctly diagnosed with myeloma at the age of 73. The news was distressing for both Pritpal and Minreet, leading to immediate commencement of chemotherapy and other treatments to combat the disease.
Despite the challenging journey, Pritpal’s health improved, with her blood markers showing positive progress by March 2024, indicating remission. To support blood cancer research, Minreet and her father Rajinder participated in the London Marathon in April 2024. Inspired by her mother’s resilience, Minreet established “Asian Women Run,” a running group aimed at promoting diversity and fitness among Asian women in west London.
With renewed strength and determination, Pritpal and Minreet have been preparing rigorously for the upcoming London Marathon, incorporating a mix of running and walking techniques in their training routine. Their shared goal is to cross the marathon finish line together, wearing matching attire from their running group.
The mother-daughter duo’s story has garnered attention and support, with a fundraiser set up to contribute to their London Marathon journey. For those interested in donating, the fundraiser link can be accessed via their GoFundMe page.