Huddersfield man completes marathon to give back to life-giving research following cancer diagnosis

A man from Huddersfield has crossed the finish line of a marathon, raising £5,510 for life-saving cancer research in Yorkshire; a year after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

33-year-old James Clapham decided to take part in the Manchester Marathon to support the life-saving mission of Yorkshire Cancer Research and give back to the pioneering research and cancer treatments that are helping people, including him, return to their lives after cancer. 

In January 2025, a few days before his birthday, James discovered a new lump in his groin area.

He said: “I could feel something wasn’t quite right but at first, I was in two minds about going to the doctors. I’d also been struggling with fatigue over the past year and had put it down to long shifts at work. After noticing the lump, I put two and two together and thought maybe there was something bigger going on.”

After speaking to his GP about his symptoms, James was referred for a series of tests, including an ultrasound at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, which revealed a tumour in his testicle. Within days of the scan, he underwent surgery to remove his testicle and was discharged from hospital the following day.  

Further tests in Leeds later confirmed James had stage one germ cell testicular cancer, a common type of cancer that primarily affects men aged 15 to 35.

James said: “The whole thing happened so quickly - from the scan, to discovering I had cancer, to then coming out of hospital after surgery. It was a lot to take in, and I only really started to process it while recovering at home for three weeks.”

Fortunately, James’s cancer was diagnosed at stage one, meaning surgery was the only treatment required. He now has regular blood tests and scans three times a year to monitor his health.  

While he is recovering well physically, James says the mental impact of his cancer diagnosis has been more challenging. 

A keen runner, James had already completed several marathons and an ultra-marathon before taking on this year’s Manchester Marathon. However, this year’s event held special significance, marking one year since his diagnosis and giving him an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of early detection.

He said: “I was incredibly lucky with my cancer diagnosis. If it’s caught early, often the operation is all that’s needed. That’s why it’s so important not to ignore any changes in your body.”

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. As Yorkshire’s cancer charity, Yorkshire Cancer Research is dedicated to changing this. The charity is funding £75 million of pioneering research and services, so people in Yorkshire can live longer, healthier, cancer-free lives.  

This isn’t the first time James has supported the work of Yorkshire Cancer Research. As a child, he got involved in coffee mornings and fundraising events alongside his grandma, who has been a dedicated member of the charity’s Huddersfield local volunteer group for 50 years. 

Looking ahead, James hopes to continue raising awareness of early diagnosis while focusing on the future with Charys, including moving into their first home later this year and going on holiday to Australia.

James concluded: “I don’t dare to think about how things might have been different if I hadn’t gone to the doctors. You never think something like this will happen to you, especially at my age.

“This whole experience has been very difficult, but I’ve been able to take some positives from it. Most importantly, it’s started conversations. People have told me they’ve gone home and spoken to their sons about checking their bodies. If my cancer experience helps even one person, it’s worth it.”

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “Thanks to the dedication and generosity of fundraisers across Yorkshire, Yorkshire Cancer Research can fund pioneering cancer research and innovative new services for people with cancer in the region. The money raised by James will help cancer researchers and experts find new cancer cures and treatments, so more people can enjoy more precious time with their loved ones.”