Running For Her Life
By CRAIG DIXON
JUST over a year ago, Christine Griffiths was dying of leukemia.
Tomorrow, Christine, 40, a former nurse and keen athlete, will leave the spectre of death flat-footed at the starting line of the 20 km Malvern Mini Marathon - her first major run since a bone marrow transplant last year.
Since the successful operation, Christine has packed as much into her life as possible.
She is studying again at LaTrobe University to fulfill an ambition to teach nurses and in September will compete at the Transplant Olympics in singapore in sprint and distance runs and tennis.
Two years ago, after slow running times, she saw her doctor and a blood test revealed leukemia. Christine underwent chemotherapy treatment but kept running, without knowing just how close to death she was.
Then doctors matched her blood with one of her two sisters and a transplant took place.
Apart from some worrying months earlier this year, doctors are amazed that all trace of leukemia has left Christine.
“I was in a lot of pain and the exercise helped keep my mind off it,” she said.
“It’s been hard work to get back to where I am now but I really think running saved my life.”
The marathon starts at 8.30 am outside the Malvern Town Hall.
(Photo Caption)
Christine Griffiths . . . “I really think running saved my life”.