Chris determined to conquer Great West Run after cancer all-clear
When Chris Shaw from Copplestone was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 39, he and his wife, Carla, decided to be as honest as they could be with their six-year-old daughter.
Ember had two important questions for her dad.
- Are you going to lose your hair?
- Will you still be able to fart?
Chris is visibly moved, love and pride combining so powerfully as he talks about his little girl.
“Her name means the spark that lights the darkness and she definitely lives up to that. She is a sassy, super creative, super smart, lovely human being and she means everything to me.”
Tough
Chris is one of around 700 people who have signed up to take part in the Great West Run for FORCE Cancer Charity on Sunday May 25 and has already raised more than £1,000 to support others dealing with a cancer diagnosis after one of the toughest years of his life.
“The worst part of all of this was seeing just how sick other people were during my chemo sessions and FORCE work so hard to help the patients and their families,” he said.
Chris, now 41, runs a motion graphics studio with his wife. He was in great shape, living life to the full when he found a lump on his neck in January 2024. 
“The doctors weren’t concerned and told me it was likely a result of a cold and my lymph nodes swelling up but my local pharmacist strongly believed it was something serious. I’m not spiritual, more science based but I knew something was wrong.
“Two months, multiple biopsies and scans later, I was diagnosed with Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.”
Challenge
He started a course of chemotherapy the day after his 40th birthday and admits: “It honestly was the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced. Although it wasn’t always easy, I stayed positive thanks to the incredible support of my family and friends.
“The chemo was brutal but I was lucky with the side effects. They weren’t as harsh as they could have been.
“In August, I was officially diagnosed as being in complete remission… although there was something weird with my thyroid that needed checking.
“The relief was short-lived as they then believed that I could have a completely different type of cancer and, again, I had to have multiple biopsies. All of them came back with mixed results and so, three days before Christmas, I had a hemithyroidectomy to be 100 per cent sure.
“I’m pleased to say that the results came back benign and I am officially now cancer-free and recovering well. My hair even grew back curly, which was awesome!”
Milestone
Competing in the Great West Run is another milestone on his road to recovery. The race is one year and two days after his final chemo session and he was inspired by the personal stories of FORCE runners from last year.
“I signed up with hope that it was going to be alright. It was a good excuse to start running again when I could and good for my physical and mental health.
“I wanted to give something back and the more I hear about FORCE the more determined I am because I am aware of how vital these services are and how lucky we are to have them. For people going through hell, places like this are so vital. You think when you get cancer there will be this huge safety net but for certain things, you’re on your own.
“I can still see the faces of everyone I had chemo with and I want to do anything I can to help.”
Determined
The effects of surgery, chemotherapy and the healing process knocked him for six but he is determined to complete next Sunday’s half marathon – “Even if I have to walk!” – and his commitment to supporting FORCE is even more remarkable when you consider that he didn’t take advantage of any of the free support offered by the Exeter-based charity.
“I didn’t think I had a bad enough form of cancer – I called it cancer lite. I didn’t think I deserved FORCE’s support and didn’t want to take it away from people who needed it more,” he said.
FORCE Information Nurse Judy Gent said: “We understand why some people feel that way but we are here for anyone locally affected by cancer. So if cancer turns your life upside down, come and see us. You don’t need an appointment. Just drop in for a chat and find out what we can do to help.”
You can support Chris – and FORCE – via his online sponsorship page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/br-X7QX9RT2B46T-2025-bishop-fleming-great-west-run
