At the start of the pandemic, two months after getting
married, our world was turned upside down when my wife was diagnosed with Stage
3 Bowel cancer. At the age of 37, and otherwise fit and healthy, this was the
last thing that we were expecting.

She was fortunate enough to still receive life-saving
surgery and chemotherapy throughout the pandemic, and although there is a long
road ahead for us, she is currently doing well. However, her prognosis would
have been a lot better and treatment less severe had she been diagnosed
earlier. Despite multiple trips to the GP over the pre-ceding year and seeing a
consultant specialist, she was repeatedly dismissed and misdiagnosed. The
unfortunate reality is that this is still considered an older person’s disease,
and more and more younger people are being missed due to being considered too
young. This results in later diagnosis and worse outcomes.

Bowel cancer is one of the most treatable cancers if caught
in the early stages, but unfortunately prognosis not so good in the later
stages. Early diagnosis is vital and saves lives.

I am therefore running the London marathon this year for
Bowel Cancer UK. Not only to raise money to help improve research, treatment
and support for those affected by this disease, without which she would not be
here,  but just as importantly to raise awareness that this can affect any
of us, at any age.

You can read more about the symptoms and how to get help and
support at the following link:

https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/

Thank you to all of our friends and family who have
supported us through this last year, both near and far. You have carried us and
we couldn’t have done it without you.

James & Christy