Kamal Aftab
By Jay Unger
An award winning charity worker is embarking upon a 50 kilometre marathon challenge three weeks after being diagnosed with Leukaemia.
Kamal Aftab, 32, an optometrist for the Valli group based in West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with the blood cancer, Acute Myeloid Leukaemia three weeks ago.
The news came just weeks before Mr Aftab was due to embark upon a trip to Africa to volunteer his time to help children with visual impairments.
Kamal Aftab
Voted Guardian national volunteer of the year 2014-15, the cancer charity worker said: “I suppose that people in my situation react in a whole host of ways; some feel utter despair; others, a sudden sense of mortality and most, a bit of everything.
He added: “I’m an optimist by nature and while different people look for strength in various places, it’s my belief in God and prayer that have carried me through the challenges of cancer.”
Due to the seriousness of his condition, Mr Aftab was admitted to St James’s Hospital in Leeds immediately where he is now into a three month treatment involving chemotherapy.
Hoping to raise £50K for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research (LLR) by walking within the confines of his room, Mr Aftab has already managed to raise more than half of his aim – with celebrities such as Lorraine Kelly endorsing his efforts.
Good luck, https://t.co/BEcPwMdail
— Lorraine (@reallorraine) July 6, 2015
If you would like to find out more about Mr Aftab’s challenge – just visit justgiving.com/hospitalchallenge.