Running for Recovery
Ed Sayer is raising money for Sophie's Legacy
Story
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In January 2025 our world got flipped upside down when scans discovered something sinister in my son Fin's head. What had started as small worries about blocked sinuses and intermittent nose bleeds quickly escalated to a reality we were not prepared for - an aggressive tumour filling his airways, pushing towards both his retinal nerve and brain, but not yet through the base of his skull.
A surreal whirlwind followed with Fin undergoing 2 days of surgery in early February, supported by the amazing team in the G2 unit of Southampton Children's Hospital. Fin's condition is rare, something called JNA - (only affecting adolescent boys at a rate of 1:150,000), hopefully benign, and he is now recovering well from his surgeries - the last of which took 7+ hrs to remove a growth about the size of a lime from his nose and sinuses.
We've been very lucky. There's about 50% chance of it returning, and a long journey of annual monitoring and other potential treatment ahead - but that is very much more positive than it could of been.
In amongst that, we came across Sophie's Legacy and personally benefited from the care and support this fabulous charity provides. From hot meals in the middle of the night when sat beside Fin's bedside, to the additional therapy support available to my son between treatments.
Whilst in G2, we also saw first hand how other young people and their families were striving to survive in the face of unimaginable situations. Each and every one of them seeking sanctuary in the parent room, sharing stories and connecting in mutual support over the food, drinks, and self-care packs provided by Sophie's Legacy.
It truly made a hell of a difference to us at a time of pure emotional turmoil. Reading stories of Sophie's own battle with cancer and the charity set up in her memory dedicated to supporting the families thrown onto their own emotional rollercoasters was a powerful push for us to try to give a bit back.
And that's led me to the starting line of ABP's Southampton Marathon 2025.
I've signed up on behalf of Fin and our family. I am a runner and doing my best to fit in 6 weeks of last minute training - but, to be completely honest, I am definitely not properly prepared for this challenge. Then again, Fin wasn't properly prepared for what he's had to deal with either, so just like he has, I'll face it head on and battle it out to the finish line.
Your support means so much - any and all donations will go straight into the actions this amazing charity takes in multiple hospitals across the south coast.
Thanks!
Find out all about Sophie's Legacy here: https://www.sophieslegacy.co.uk
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.