Ovarian cancer and me 

In August 2019 I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. It was in both ovaries, had spread to my bowel and it had its sights set on my liver and stomach too. Although it had spread significantly it was caught in time and just 10 days after my diagnosis I had surgery which removed all the cancer from my body. 

In the context of a very unlucky situation I was very lucky and a year later I am strong and healthy. But that is often not the case with ovarian cancer, which still has low levels of awareness and poor outcomes for women affected by it:  

• 90% of women don’t know the four main symptoms of ovarian cancer 

• The majority of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at stage 3 and 4 making treatment harder 

• 1 women dies in the UK from ovarian cancer every two hours

• Although five-year survival rates for ovarian cancer are improving, other cancers, such as breast cancer, had better survival rates two generations ago than ovarian cancer does today.

Global team marathon fundraiser & locations 

Those stats are the reason myself and friends and family will run the equivalent of a marathon across four continents to raise much needed funds for Ovarian Cancer Action. Starting in Melbourne and Canberra in Australia before going to Delhi, India then onto Europe, touching down in Athens, London, Edinburgh and Isle of Tiree, Inner Hebrides of Scotland before setting off across the Atlantic to finish in Washington we will run as the day starts in each location. 

About Ovarian Cancer Action 

Ovarian Cancer Action is a leading UK research charity tackling ovarian cancer and working towards a world where no woman dies of the disease. They’re investing in research projects across three vital areas: prevention, earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments. Improvements in each of these areas will transform the lives of women today and for generations to come. To find out more about how they are helping to change the future for the women we love. www.ovarian.org.uk

Impact of COVID-19 for Ovarian Cancer Action 

Like most charities, Ovarian Cancer Action has been hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic. They are facing a 50% decline in income this year alone, which could mean a reduction of up to £1million in their fundraising. This will have a direct effect on the amount of research they are able to fund, and therefore the number of women they can help. Due to COVID-19, they have had to put some potentially life-saving projects on hold but we must get their scientists back in the lab as soon as possible.