I was diagnosed with cancer in the right tonsil back in 2020, caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). After a brutal course in chemo-radiation therapy, I went into remission later that year. Unfortunately, a routine scan late in 2021 showed that the cancer had metastasised and spread to both my lungs, making it incurable. This month (April) I took ill-health retirement from my work as a geographer at UCL.

Since recovering from cancer first time round, I discovered my love of running trails at ultra-marathon distances. Since 2021, I have competed in 5 ultramarathon races, and have loved them all. In June 2021, I  entered into the SDW100, a 100mile (162km!) race to be completed in one go within 30hours. My longest distance ever. And no sleep!! But then in September I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, for which I'm now undergoing some cutting edge immunotherapy treatment.

My personal challenge therefore, is to made good on my promise to myself that I can run 100 miles, stage 4 cancer and immunotherapy treatment notwithstanding. 

I have chosen to raise money for Oracle Cancer Trust because they fund research into Head & Neck Cancers, mainly at the very early stages of the disease. Our knowledge of HNC is very poor compared to other cancer types, as is public awareness (something which  I know about first hand!). Moreover, treatments can be debilitating in themselves. Funds crucially need to be found therefore to help raise awareness and provide better treatment and outcomes for all head and neck cancer patients.

If you would like to know more about my cancer journey, you can follow my blog: https://www.ansonmackay.com/blog