I had given up running long distance 8 years ago due to knee pain and had no intention of running a half marathon unless I had a good reason to.  Well that reason presented itself recently when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with bowel cancer.  It’s come as a shock and seems very unfair given that she’s always eaten healthily, kept fit, etc. 

I lost both of my grandmothers to bowel cancer. Typical for the disease, their cancers presented too late and any treatment was just palliative. Since then, a national bowel cancer screening programme came into effect. This enables some bowel cancers to be picked up before it causes any symptoms, offering the best chance of a cure.  

Fortunately my mother-in-law’s cancer was picked up by the bowel cancer screening programme.  She has had surgery to remove it and although she still needs chemotherapy we are all hopeful that she will be cancer-free and can get back to enjoying retirement and doing all her favourite things like playing with her grandkids, travelling, dancing and yoga.. 

Bowel cancer is preventable, treatable and curable. This is why I've chosen to run a half marathon to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK.  As the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity, they fund targeted research & provide information and support to patients and their families.  I would greatly appreciate any sponsorship to help me support their great work.