Last update on.From section Athletics
Vicky and Elliott agree that it will be amazing to run together, "after all we've gone through."
Virgin Money London Marathon Date - Sunday, 3 Oct Course: Blackheath To The Mall BBC coverage: Live coverage on BBC Two at 08:00, and BBC One at 10:00. With uninterrupted coverage and additional streams on BBC Sport and BBC Sport App, and live text starting at 08:00, you can watch the marathon live on BBC Two and BBC One.
Elliott Brock may not have signed up without Vicky Lawrence without Vicky Lawrence. Vicky wouldn't have made it to the startline without Elliott.
Vicky was saved by Elliott thirteen years ago.
Vicky was actually born in 2000, which is the year that the life-saving process began. Elliott, then a stranger, signed up for bone marrow registration.
Vicky's parents were concerned in 2008 when Vicky, an eight-year old who was always very active, began feeling tired.
Doctors told her that she would have died if she hadn't been admitted to the hospital with aplasticanaemia.
This was the moment Vicky and Elliott became one another. Elliott donated Vicky's bone marrow and the pair will run the marathon on Sunday to raise money for Anthony Nolan.
Vicky said that it was crazy to consider that 12 years ago, Christmas wasn't looking possible for me. Now, I'm about to run 26 miles with the person who saved my life.
Vicky was saved by Elliott's bone marrow transplant in 2008.
Elliott said that Vicky's words still give him a lump in his throat. He has helped the 21-year old to pack a lot into her 13 years of life and she is currently completing her fourth year at Newcastle's medical school.
Elliott, 42, said that it was amazing to save someone's lives and to also see the achievements Vicky made - she is a medical student, worked abroad, travelled as a sportsperson, and musician." Elliott told BBC Sport.
"She is such a forceful nature, and to think about what it would have been in a few weeks if she hadn't been on my register."
It's amazing. Technically, we are related.
Elliott wants to stress that the transplant was pain-free for him. Donors and recipients must remain anonymous for two year. Vicky's parents can send updates during this time.
He was informed that she had defied all expectations to return home in time for Christmas. His hair had begun growing back, and that "the roar she made when she returned into the classroom was deafening."
After a while, the families lost touch. However, Vicky wrote Elliott a letter at 15 and they agreed to meet.
Vicky recalls that feeling as "very surreal" and adds: "Me, Elliott share the same blood. Technically, we are related.
It's an odd feeling. It was amazing to have him sitting in front of us - the person who saved me from death. It was a wonderful afternoon.
"There will be many tears"
Vicky convinced Elliott to run the marathon in August 2019.
They have waited long to get in line at Greenwich's start, just like many of the other 40,000 runners. The mass participation race was made virtual in 2020 by Covid-19.
Elliott completed the virtual challenge near his Essex home. The father-of-two is now ready to face the big day. He said he "managed" to channel his inner Forrest Gump during training.
He is also mentally preparing for an emotionally charged event.
He explained, "My mom will be coming along,"
"She cheered me on at my bedside when I did my transplant so it is wonderful that she is cheering on me 13 years later as I run the marathon with the girl whose lives were saved by that procedure.
"Just to be able to see this girl so full, it's an honor of what Anthony Nolan accomplishes. It will be very moving."
Vicky anticipates overwhelming emotions at the end of the race and Vicky plans to join them in running the entire thing.
She says, "Running a marathon is an emotional journey. Running next to him will be incredible."
"Crossing that finish line will bring out a lot of emotions. It's a testament to how far I have come, and it shows that blood cancers or blood disorders don't mean the end.
It is a testament to the importance of bone marrow transplants. It will feel incredible."
