Iain Ward

Iain Ward, known globally as The King of Chemo, is a one-of-a-kind keynote speaker whose story captures both the power of human endurance and the impact of using adversity for good. Available to book through Virtual Speakers, Iain delivers honest, inspiring talks that fuse personal experience, dry humour, and a powerful message about resilience. After being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in his early 30s, Iain made a life-changing decision – not to focus on what he had lost, but on what he could still do. He launched a world-record marathon fundraising campaign, drawing millions into his mission and transforming his diagnosis into a platform for purpose, progress, and positivity.

In 2019, Iain’s life took a turn when he volunteered for a paid medical trial that unexpectedly revealed a brain tumour. With no symptoms and a clean bill of health up to that point, the news was shocking. The tumour was diagnosed as Stage 3 brain cancer, and Iain underwent awake brain surgery just days after turning 31. Most people would understandably retreat – but Iain took a different route. With a background in fitness and a growing presence as a content creator, he saw an opportunity to channel his remaining time into something that truly mattered: raising as much money as possible for cancer research by running marathons.

Since then, Iain has become a headline figure in global awareness and fundraising campaigns. He has completed multiple world-famous marathons, including London, Boston and Berlin, and even completed the Great World Race – seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. In 2025, he became a keynote speaker at the World Cancer Congress, sharing his story with an international audience. That same year, Iain raised over £375,000 in corporate sponsorships for cancer research, with support from major brands like MyProtein and VivoBarefoot. His social media presence has exploded, with over 6 million Instagram followers and 5 million on TikTok, making him one of the most followed terminally ill individuals on the planet. He also earned the TikTok Voice of Change Award in 2024 and was honoured by the American Cancer Society with a dedicated donation page – an extremely rare recognition.

As a speaker, Iain is candid, energetic, and deeply engaging. His topics – Resilience, Mental Health, Health and Wellness, Exercise and Endurance, and Fundraising Innovation- reflect his lived experience. Whether speaking to a business audience, healthcare professionals, or young people, Iain delivers more than motivation. He speaks with conviction about what it means to live boldly, act with purpose, and find humour in even the darkest moments. When Iain takes the virtual stage, audiences don’t just feel inspired – they leave ready to take action.