Several years ago, one of my friends was taken from us in the prime of her life, and it hit home that cancer can affect everyone. Michelle Hoare fought right to the very end with grace and I will forever admire her.

In 2010 my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had his lung removed, his lymph nodes, and was so brave. Christmas 2010 will always stick in my mind as seeing your strong dad in ICU with machines helping him breathe destroyed me. But he fought and eventually it was thought he was winning. Then when he was strong enough in 2011, he had his kidney removed, followed by chemo, as he had not one, but two primary cancers.  We were told he was terminally ill as they would never remove all the cancer but we were hopeful. However in 2012 my dad got yet another chest infection and was taken into Hospital. The emphysema, the cancer and dodgy ticker eventually got the better of him, and on the 4th July 2012 my dad was taken from me. He battled till the very end. My mum has amazed me with her strength since he passed and I am so proud of her. To say I was devastated was, and continues to be, an understatement. I miss him every day. My kids, my family, and most of all my husband, Darren, get me through the hard days, and I love them all dearly for it.

On the 4th of July when my world felt like it was falling apart, my dear friend, Lyn Rolls was given the news that her husband was terminally ill with an aggressive form of cancer. In a very short time Rob became so unwell, and sadly lost his life. I will always look up to them both with how brave they both were.

Cancer takes so many lives, but so many less than before, all thanks to Cancer Research. Please donate, and come and support me as I run as part of Team Heart on the 9th June. I will be showing the same strength on that day that my dad, and my friends, showed at the end of their lives.  Love you dad xx