Christian Graham, a distance runner for Boise State University’s cross country and track teams, has returned to competition after being diagnosed with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Scotland before his final year. Graham, originally from Edinburgh, had previously played soccer before focusing on running, competing at Dundee University and later transferring to Boise State for the 2023-24 season.
His health concerns began when he noticed lumps on his face while still recovering from an injury. Initial consultations and treatments did not yield answers until a biopsy in Scotland confirmed cancer. “It was a pretty unsettling four or five weeks. I didn’t know what was going on. I was still injured, which was on my mind because I wanted to be injury-free and get fit for cross country season,” said Graham.
Head coach Pat McCurry learned of the diagnosis remotely, as he had just started his role at Boise State. “When I got the job, Christian was already back in Scotland, so all the communication on his diagnosis, treatment and our plan going forward here was over the phone,” McCurry stated. He assured Graham that a return would be possible: “I know you’re probably not thinking about it at this point in time, but if you want to come back once you’ve gotten through all this, then that’s definitely going to be possible for you.”
Graham underwent three months of chemotherapy in Scotland. His consultant noted that his athletic background helped him tolerate an intense treatment regimen: “You’re in the best position possible because you’re so fit,” she told him. During treatment, Graham received support from the Teenage Cancer Trust and credited early intervention for limiting the disease’s spread.
Once cleared medically, Graham faced challenges regaining fitness but remained determined to return to pre-diagnosis levels. “Screw that,” he replied when told he might need to accept a “new normal.” He gradually increased his training capacity despite setbacks and marked progress with small milestones such as running longer distances without stopping.
By summer 2025, Graham finished second in the Edinburgh Half Marathon and raised over $4,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. Coach McCurry commented on Graham’s return: “That visit alone seemed like such a win, as he had come through treatment with great results and was already back running.” Graham added: “As an athlete, I’m used to being in situations where I’m expected to work really hard and be comfortable feeling really uncomfortable.”
Back at Boise State, Graham resumed graduate studies and racing. In his first meet post-treatment at Notre Dame’s Joe Piane Invitational, he placed 15th in the 8k with a career-best time of 23:13.8—helping Boise State secure second place—and continued strong performances throughout the season.
Associate athletic trainer Tyler Smith awarded him the Hammer of Resilience award: “This was the first Hammer of Resilience award I have handed out and I couldn’t think of a more deserving person… It represents all the hard work, determination and effort that they put in coming back.” Smith observed: “You could see he was determined and wasn’t going to let this cancer define him moving forward.”
Graham reflected on sharing his story: “It’s pretty uncommon for someone at my age and fitness level to be diagnosed… Your brain does weird things… I’m a year older, which is strange, but it’s not a new normal.” Now preparing for indoor championships before finishing his eligibility outdoors, he values daily routines once taken for granted: “I appreciate the small things like being able to run… The NCAA is all about experiences… At one point in time, I thought that was going to be cut short.”
He encourages others facing illness not to accept limitations: “There’s no reason to say anybody who gets ill can’t get the exact normal they had before,” said Graham. “You don’t need a new normal. You can have your old normal.”
