In April 2016, my family’s world collapsed around us as my younger brother Frank was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Despite 14 cycles of chemotherapy, 2 months of proton beam therapy in Oklahoma and an 8 hour operation to remove the tumour and a substantial part of his pelvis, Frank’s cancer returned in September 2017 after just 5 months in remission. Following yet more treatment, my wonderful brother’s short life came to an end on the 9th of February 2019. We are all left devastated, but immensely, immensely proud.

What we didn’t know at the time of Frank’s diagnosis is just how underfunded bone cancer is. Ewing sarcoma most commonly affects children and young adults aged 10-25 years old, making up 1.5% of all childhood cancer. A child, teenager or adult is diagnosed with primary bone cancer every 10 minutes somewhere in the world, yet primary bone cancer received just 0.027% of funding from the major UK cancer charities in 2020/21. Treatment protocols are out of date and gruelling. It is an absolute scandal that the lack of investment means that neither treatment nor survival rates have improved in over 30 years and that there’s so little chance of survival if it returns. 

With this in mind, next year I will be running the London marathon for Frank’s Fund , a charity founded by myself and my family alongside the Bone Cancer Research Trust to raise money for research into Ewings sarcoma in memory of Frank.

Anyone who knows me will understand what a huge challenge this is- I am anything but a runner! But after his operation, Frank told me how he dreamed of being able to run again, and watching his strength and courage as he began to do so was nothing short of awe inspiring. If Frank’s death is to have any meaning at all, it needs to be to help people who are diagnosed in the future by raising funds that can be invested into much needed research. Considering that, the marathon seemed to be the perfect option.

Any donations would be so greatly appreciated. 100% of the money raised will go towards research into Ewings sarcoma and help keep Frank’s memory alive. The link is in my bio.

This one’s for you Frank, I love and miss you. My best friend.