Dylan Peakall, 26, completed the London Marathon in 2025, raising over £6,400 to support our vital research. This April, he will be fundraising for the ICR again, running the London Landmarks Half Marathon alongside his friend, Anton, in memory of their close friend Danny. Danny was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer at the age of 29 and died 15 months later in November 2024.
It was a massive shock to Danny, his family and all his friends when he was diagnosed with cancer. He was only 29 years old at the time, in good health, a non-smoker and he had no pre-existing health issues.
He had not been feeling well and after a period of breathlessness and experiencing severe coughing, he was hospitalised on 3 August 2023.
Following numerous biopsies, blood tests, scans and weeks of waiting for a diagnosis, he was told he had ‘poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of mediastinal origin’, a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer. He started treatment, but unfortunately his body did not cope well with this.
Danny passed away on 4 November 2024 at the age of 31.
-surrounded-by-his-friends-(credit-dylan-peakall).jpg?sfvrsn=f3024d44_1 "Danny (centre front) surrounded by his friends (credit: Dylan Peakall)")
He was a huge figure in our friendship circle, and we had been friends for many years. He had moved to the UK from Thailand as a child and was the glue that bound our friendship group together. Anyone who’s met Danny will tell you of his friendly and mischievous character. He was always making people laugh, had the ability to connect with people wherever he went, and was fiercely loyal and selfless. We all say, if there was one person who didn’t deserve to get cancer, it was Danny.
His death was devastating for all of us and especially for his parents. Danny was their only child and he was their world.
On 12 April 2026, I will be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon in memory of Danny, along with our close friend Anton.
Running is in my DNA! I started during lockdown and quickly got the bug for it. Since then, I have run three London Marathons, including last year’s event for The Institute of Cancer Research. For Anton, running is a relatively new hobby and he’s not quite ready for a full marathon, so we have agreed to do the London Landmarks Half together instead, with Danny as our inspiration. Our training is on track, and we are hoping to raise at least £1,000 for the ICR.
For me, it made perfect sense to raise funds for The Institute of Cancer Research. Cancer has had a very real and personal impact on my life. Not only did my good friend Danny lose his battle with a rare form of lung cancer, but my nan sadly passed away from breast cancer too. Seeing first-hand the effect cancer has on patients and their families is what drives me. I really admire the work the Institute of Cancer Research does, not only supporting those affected by cancer today, but pushing forward vital research to find better treatments and ultimately, cures for the future.
To support Dylan and Anton and help raise funds for our vital research, please visit their fundraising page.