Ryan's Run for Blood Cancer

By Ryan Collins

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1 week to go!

My last long run, only 10km, felt good. In the home straight! Now no colds or stupid injuries please! Will my head be bald?

New record run for me 33.7km and 3 weeks to go!

Well that was rather tiring. Bateau Bay to Magenta to Chittaway Bay to Bateau Bay. The first 21 km I felt great. Then the twinges started. But at the 26km I felt better then at that point 2 weeks ago (my previous record run). But by then the heat had ramped up to 28 degrees and my legs were concrete and hurting (I had to stop and stretch). Any slight uphill (like going over a small bridge) was even more painful. Anyway, I made it home. And was glad the wall was there to hold me up whilst I recovered for a few minutes before heading inside to that glorious bottle of Gatorade. Hoping for a 20 degree race day in 3 weeks. ;-)

Hardest run of my life...so far (28 September 2025)

Well that was tough. 28km, Long Jetty to Norah Head and back, the longest I've ever run (note, there were many periods of walking), on a warm 23 deg, sunny morning. Thank god for the SE wind that cooled me down for the second half of the run. Though didn't help the twinge of cramps with 5km to go. Glad to get my kms up but it was a struggle...

8 weeks to go (7 Sep 2025)

I upped the ante in my long training run today breaking the 20km barrier! It was a slow run, included walking time, so all up it took just over 2 hours 18 minutes. But I wanted to reach that distance and spend time on my feet. As well as start the routine for what I will eat/drink before the marathon (banana on white bread toast) and during (energy gels/bars and water). I jogged from home at Bateau Bay to North Entrance and back. Beautiful morning along the Tuggerah Lakes. There was so much bird life (and dog life!). And many runners giving the out-of-breath nod or energetic "hi" as we crossed paths. The cold water at the end was heaven (see pic)! And since the beginning of July, I've clocked over 200 running kilometres! Many more to come. R

I’ve taken a stand against blood cancer.

It's 20 years since my "re-birthday"! On 2 September 2005, I had a bone marrow transplant that saved my life from Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). To "celebrate" that and my 50th birthday this year I am running my first marathon on 1 November 2025 in Huskisson, NSW, to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation who supported me and my family throughout my transplant and recovery.

Today, more than 53 Australians will be told that they have blood cancer and tomorrow - another 53 families will be devastated by the same news.

I have created this page to raise vital funds to help provide the special care that is needed to get families through a blood cancer diagnosis as well as to help fund more game-changing research into this disease. 

The money I raise will help provide care for those in need right now — and it will back the brightest researchers to continue uncovering faster diagnoses and better treatments to save lives. 

Please show me your support by donating to my fundraising campaign.

My Achievements

Congrats! You've hit your goal!

$80 raised - you've given a family a night of emergency accommodation!

You've covered genetic testing!

You've given a family a whole weeks accommodation near treatment

$1,000 raised - you've made a tube gene test with state-of-the-art-technology possible

You've covered 3 months of lab costs for vital blood cancer research

You've fund life changing research for 3 months

Thank you to my Supporters

$57.30

Tessa

You're bloody amazing, Ryan! Good luck this weekend!!

$57.30

Ash & Rochelle

Happy re birthday Ryan, congratulations on a fantastic effort so far, your a legend 💪

$158.25

Jenny & Steve

$85.48

Jeff Love

Run like the wind bullseye!

$57.30

Tom

Good job Ryan! Smashing it.. a long way from those city to surfs! All the best on the day.

$54.12

Irish

Well done mate.

$110.24

Anonymous

$57.30

Deb Agnew - It’s Not Just About The Trees But Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things!!!

Go get ‘em Ryan. So proud of you and delighted you’re championing this cause and working towards a cure. You know how important it is.

$106.12

Keith Maxwell

Go Ryan! You are a big inspiration, run to your plan and enjoy the finish line!

$57.30

Ina Peukes

What a great cause to run for! Good luck with the marathon, you'll do amazing!

$22.58

Kristie Baker

All the best for your first marathon and happy 50th Ryan! You've got this champ!

$85.48

Andrew Triggs

So impressed Ryan!

$106.12

V

GO HARD legend 🩵🙌

$85.48

Justine Young

yay to raising funds for the leukaemia Foundation and all the best with the marathon uncle Ryan

$56.02

Gemma Ramsay

Great work Ryan!!!

$158.25

Kendall Benton-collins

I'm so grateful that you're celebrating twenty years since your transplant. I love you so much and I'm extremely proud of you!

$106.12

Brad

Happy 50th and (re)birthday Ryan. Good luck on the run.

$54.12

Woodhouse Fam

All the best Ryan!

$158.25

Anonymous

$54.12

Mil

We are so very lucky that this kind donor saved your life

$22.58

Justin Bonsey

Good on you, Ryan!

$27.81

Anonymous

$57.30

Cnb

Well done RC and good luck

$85.48

David Rowlinson

Go well Ryan, fantastic effort for an amazing cause - go you good thing!

$54.12

Marty

You are such a legend, the only surprise is this is your first marathon! First of many I predict - keep up all the good work!!

$106.12

Janet Sparrow

Best of luck with the marathon and congrats on your fabulous milestone 🎉

$158.25

Anthony Peyton

Well done on preparing to run your first marathon and to raise the important funds for blood cancer research. I ran my first last year and so know how you would be feeling at this time.

$85.48

Olivia Simmons

You are amazing Ryan. Run, run, as fast as you can, you can't catch Ryan, he's the reborn man.

$50

Matthew O’keefe

$106.12

Aj Steel

Congratulations on 20 years since the transplant! You are one of the best! Enjoy the run!

$100

Kate Lindsay

Happy 20 year anniversary and happy 50th! All the best for the training and your marathon. You are amazing Ryan!

$85.48

Anastasia Ross

$80

Ryan Collins