I am running the Great North Run in September for Cancer Research but I am running in memory of a truly amazing woman who my mum was lucky to call her 'soul sister'.

Alison Maddison (Ali to everyone who was lucky to know her) was diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago at the age of 30. After surgery she stayed in remission for over 6 years. During this time, she married Steven who in her words she 'loved the very bones of' but cruelly while she was pregnant the cancer returned. Unfortunately, this time the cancer had come back as triple negative which currently there is no maintenance drug.  Ali had to give birth to her precious daughter Lucy Rose Maddison at 36 weeks and immediately started radiotherapy.

Her determination and positivity to beat this disease was infectious. As long as she had 'a plan' she continued to live life to the full.  

She was dedicated to her job as a Senior Early Years Practitioner at Durham High School for Girls where she had worked since the age of 18 and in between treatments relished her role in helping to educate the little girls there with a passionate, caring and calm approach.

But it was the love for her family and fierce determination to be around for as long as she could for Steven and Lucy that drove her to research all available treatments. Ali took part in numerous trials at The Bobby Robson Centre in Newcastle and was committed to helping find a maintenance drug for triple negative breast cancer although she realised that it would probably wouldn't be in her life time, she was resolute in helping others to not suffer in the future.

Unfortunately, in March this year Ali lost her courageous fight against the disease. She was never a victim of cancer, she was a daughter, mother, wife and an amazing friend to everyone who was blessed to know her. Now I would like to raise as much money as possible in her memory to continue Ali's cause.

Thank you, particularly to Steven for allowing me to share her story.  

Target time 1 hour 45 mins

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