Now Michael is preparing to run his first marathon in aid of a charity that arranges life saving transplants.
The 30-year-old will take part in the London Marathon to raise money for Anthony Nolan, which matches stem cell donors with patients who need transplants as part of their cancer treatment.
Mr Peters’ father the Revd Canon Ken Peters, a clergyman and long-time resident of Stanmore, had been diagnosed with myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
Heavy chemotherapy could treat the cancer but killed off many bone marrow cells, where blood cells are produced. Patients often then need a stem cell transplant to replace the bone marrow and allows for healthy blood cells to be produced.
Mr Peters said: “My dad’s initial prognosis was about six months to live, but he was able to be accepted into a relatively small trial for a new course of chemotherapy.
“This combined with his stem cell transplant meant that he lived for almost 20 years, living a relatively normal life for most of that time.”
Mr Peters himself was later contacted by Anthony Nolan, having been found to be a match for another patient, and was able to donate his stem cells in the same way that someone else had for his dad.
As well as matching donors with patients, Anthony Nolan also conducts medical research, aiming to improve the effectiveness of stem cell transplants.
The charity’s functions are critical for patients like Mr Peters’ father, who require transplants as part of their treatment.
The process involves patients undergoing heavy chemotherapy to kill cancer cells, which also destroys bone marrow cells responsible for producing blood cells.
The stem cell transplant replaces the damaged bone marrow, allowing for the production of healthy blood cells.
Mr Peters has been preparing for the marathon since last summer, starting from scratch as he had never been a runner before.
He said: “When I found out I’d got a place last summer, I went for a run that evening and barely made one single mile before I had to stop.”
He began his training in November, and since then has successfully completed five half marathons.
He admitted: “The marathon is going to be hard, really hard.
“I’ve done what I can so far to prepare myself, but I know it’s going to be really tough on the day.
“I’ve had great runs where I felt like I can do it, and I’ve had bad runs where I felt like I’m not making good enough progress.
“It’s been a long process, but I’m now really looking forward to the day itself.
“I know how much difference the crowds can make, I know I’m doing it for a good reason, and I know my dad would be out supporting me if he could, so I think I can do it.”
The London Marathon will take place on April 27.
