Our beautiful mum has recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. As you can imagine receiving this news as a family was devastating and has been extremely difficult to process due to a diagnosis that was completely unexpected. For those of you who know my mum will know that she has spent her life putting others first - she adores her family and has been a rock to us all through tough times. I feel its important to share how strong and brave mum has been so far and continues to be as she goes on this journey. She really is an inspiration to us all and we know together, we will get through this! 

My mum is a private person so to share such information has felt daunting but since being diagnosed mum is adamant to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and the symptoms that women may disregard. Ovarian cancer can be hard to detect due to its vague symptoms that women can experience in every day life. Mum was constantly bloated and her tummy looked as though it was beginning to swell so she informed her GP - mums urine sample showed that she had a urine infection but because her stomach was so bloated, the doctor decided to do a CA-125 blood test (this blood test can help to identify ovarian cancer). The results displayed that the levels were raised which of course was then a concern. A few days later, mum came to experience a lot of discomfort and because of this decided to go to A&E. Mum was examined at hospital but then was told her symptoms were likely to be IBS (ovarian cancer can sometimes be mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome as the symptoms are very similar!)

Mum knew in herself that something wasn't quite right from how she was feeling plus her CA-125 levels being high so she raised this to the nurse at the hospital. After more bloods coming back high, mum went to have a CT scan - a gynaecologist reviewed the scan results which he then confirmed cancer being present on both ovaries and the omentum which a biopsy has also confirmed. Mum will soon be going through chemotherapy and surgery in hope to shrink the cancer and remove affected areas. 

Target Ovarian Cancer is the UK's leading ovarian cancer charity which works to improve early diagnosis, fund research and provide support. My brother and I have decided to raise money for this amazing charity so that more awareness can be made to help women pick up on these symptoms and receive a diagnosis as early as possible. On Sunday 4th September, we will both be attending The Big Half in London to run our first ever half marathon for this charity and for our wonderful mum to show how proud we are of her for the courage and strength she continues to show. Any donations big or small, or sharing our story will mean so much and be hugely appreciated! 

Lets raise money and as much awareness as we can! 

This is for you mum - we love you so much xxx