‘Super fit’ man, 44, thought he had heartburn after cycling 100km – but then scans revealed a ‘gigantic mass on chest’

FIT father of three Neil Morris had just completed a 100km cycle when he started to experience tightness in his neck and chest.

The 44-year-old HR director “didn’t think anything of it”, believing it was indigestion – but when “sharp pain” persisted he decided to see his GP.

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Neil Morris has always been fit and healthy, but after completing a 100km cycle he began experiencing some worrying symptoms[/caption]

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‘Moz’, as he’s also known, enjoys cycling and running and has completed several marathons[/caption]

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In November 2023 he was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia and required a stem cell transplant[/caption]

After a GP consultation, Neil, from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was advised to visit his local hospital, where a CT scan revealed a “gigantic mass on his chest”, along with a blood clot.

Further tests revealed he had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – a rare type of blood and bone marrow cancer most common in children and young people.

It was during the week of his diagnosis in November 2023 that Neil, known as ‘Moz’, had cycled the 100km and began experiencing symptoms.

His wife Jenny Morris, a 39-year-old solicitor, said the diagnosis came as a huge shock and “turned their life upside down”.

She said Moz has always been fit and healthy – he enjoys cycling and running and has completed several marathons.

Jenny added: “He thought it was heartburn, but I don’t think he’s ever suffered from that before.

“His concern was, ‘I’ve got chest pain, I ought to get checked out’.”

Moz was diagnosed with ALL in November 2023.

He underwent more than 100 rounds of chemotherapy, eight hours of radiotherapy, five bone marrow biopsies, five bags of platelets, three blood transfusions and more.

But ultimately, it was a stem cell transplant through Anthony Nolan, that came from just one match, that gave him a “second chance” at life.

Now, nine months post-transplant, Jenny is preparing to run the TCS London Marathon in April to raise funds for Anthony Nolan and encourage others to register as donors.

Speaking about her message to the unknown donor in Germany, who cannot be identified, Jenny said: “There are no words to express how grateful I am.

“I suppose the only thing I can do is thank her for giving our children their dad back, for giving him a chance and for giving me my husband back.

“He has a second chance and the reason why he has that chance is because of her – and it’s mind-blowing there are not more people on the register.”

Jenny was shocked at Moz’s diagnosis saying she felt like “a rabbit in headlights”.

She said: “My first thought was just, ‘I’ve got three children and a husband who I love’.

I was shocked and, if I’m completely honest, I still don’t believe it’s happened to us

Jenny Morris

“I was shocked and, if I’m completely honest, I still don’t believe it’s happened to us, but at the same time I’ve always believed it would be OK, I just believe in him.”

Moz started treatment straightaway, beginning with steroids, followed by three cycles of chemotherapy over six months.

Even during treatment, Moz, who Jenny says is “headstrong and determined”, continued to stay fit using his exercise bike to the amazement of the “incredible” staff at Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

Moz had reached remission after the first chemotherapy cycle but needed to continue with two more before having a stem cell transplant, as this was “the route to cure”.

Jenny said waiting for a match to be found gave her many “sleepless nights” – and in the end, it was an unknown donor in Germany who saved his life.

“He doesn’t have siblings, so there was not the option for him to have a sibling donor,” Jenny explained.

“He only had one match, which is bonkers, and we still can’t believe it.

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His wife Jenny Morris said she felt like “a rabbit in headlights” after his diagnosis[/caption]

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During his treatment Moz continued to stay fit using his exercise bike[/caption]

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He only had one match for his transplant, which the couple are very thankful for[/caption]

“We’re very lucky that he had one and the one that he had was a good one.”

After his whole body was treated with radiotherapy, specifically total body irradiation (TBI), which caused him to lose his hair and drop 10kg in one week, Moz received the stem cell transplant in May 2024.

One of Anthony Nolan’s volunteers flew to Germany to collect the stem cells and, despite various plane cancellations and delays, Jenny said “they managed to get them to him safe and sound”.

Jenny said there were some “scary moments” and he experienced some complications post-transplant, but Moz was eventually discharged to continue his recovery at home, where he had to remain in isolation for around three months due to being severely vulnerable to infection.

Although Moz still has “a long way to go”, Jenny said he is now “doing incredibly well” and has been supported by medical staff, family and friends, and she has since signed up for the TCS London Marathon to “give something back”.

“If Moz can go through everything that he has gone through, then I’m pretty sure I can get myself around London,” she said.

Jenny said there will be “lots of tears” when she crosses the finish line on April 27, but her mission to raise awareness is driving her forward and she has learned not to “sweat the small stuff”.

‘Get on the register for stem cell donation’

According to Anthony Nolan, only 3 per cent of people in the UK are registered as stem cell donors currently.

But Jenny hopes she can encourage at least one more person to sign up.

She said: “Just get on the register, it’s easier than a Covid test – you just need to fill out an online form to request a swab pack.

“I hope so much that I get called to give some cells one day, I would love to have the privilege to do that.

“It’s so easy and so simple and, obviously the drugs and treatment have a huge impact, but actually, what really saves the life is another person.

“What an incredible gift to give someone.”

To donate or find out more, visit Jenny’s fundraising page click here. 

To join the Anthony Nolan register, visit: anthonynolan.org/signup.