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When Gareth Jones looks back on five years of treatment, he describes it as 'a pretty torrid time'.

However, today, the 57-year-old is doing something he once wasn’t sure would ever be possible again - running marathons and enjoying life with his family.

Gareth was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in April 2021, beginning a complex and challenging treatment journey. Initially, he underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, but complications soon followed when his treatment caused a perforated bowel, requiring emergency surgery and leaving him with a stoma.

Gareth recalled: “It was a tough time. You’re dealing with the illness, but also everything that comes with it - physically, mentally and emotionally.”

Although further chemotherapy was tried, it became clear that this alone would not be enough. Gareth went on to have a stem cell transplant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) in December 2021. Early signs were encouraging, but devastatingly, tests later showed that his lymphoma had returned.

He said: “It was really hard, thinking it had worked and then finding out it hadn’t.”

At that point, Gareth was referred for CAR T-cell therapy; an advanced, personalised treatment which uses a patient’s own immune cells to target cancer. After being assessed and approved, his T-cells were collected and modified before being returned to his body in July 2022 at QEHB.

The treatment was not without its challenges. Gareth spent around three weeks in hospital and experienced some of the known side effects, including fever and confusion.

He explained: “It’s not straightforward and there were difficult moments. There were times when I realised just how serious things had been, particularly when the confusion set in quite suddenly. But the team was incredible throughout.”

Gareth gradually began to rebuild his strength and while initial results were positive, it would be several months before he received the news he had been hoping for. In October 2022, he was told he was in remission.

He said: “That phone call was huge. But even after that, there’s a mental adjustment. You’ve been so focused on getting through treatment that it takes time to process everything.”

With time, both the physical and mental recovery came. Following a further operation in early 2023, Gareth finally felt ready to return to something he had always loved: running.

He recalled: “I went out for my first run in about two years and that was a big moment. “Running had always been a part of my life and to be able to do that again meant a lot.”

Since then, Gareth, from Solihull, has completed four marathons, including running the London Marathon with his wife in support of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Reflecting on his experience at QEHB, Gareth is full of praise for the team who cared for him.

He said: “The level of care was incredible. Nothing was ever too much trouble and any question I had was always answered. You really feel supported every step of the way.”

He also paid particular tribute to Dr Salim Shafeek, from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, who first cared for him following his diagnosis and continues to oversee his care. “Dr Shafeek has been an amazing source of support and encouragement for us from day one and continues to this day.”

Dr Sridhar Chaganti, Gareth’s consultant at QEHB, added: “It’s great to see Gareth doing so well. CAR T-cell therapy can have a truly transformational effect for patients with otherwise difficult-to-treat disease and we feel privileged to be able to deliver this treatment here in Birmingham. Gareth’s recovery and return to running marathons is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved.”

Now several years on from his treatment, Gareth is enjoying life with his wife and four children, focusing on family, work and making the most of every day. A planned trip to Thailand this summer, returning to a place he first visited decades ago - is a special reminder of how far he has come.

For Gareth, the experience has changed his outlook on life. “It gives you perspective on what’s really important,” he says. “I try to focus more on enjoying the present, rather than worrying about what’s next.”

As he continues to run, travel and spend time with his family, Gareth is also keen to share his story in the hope it helps others.

He said: “If talking about it gives someone else hope, then it’s worth it. I’ve been fortunate, and if I can give something back, that’s what I want to do.”