March 2000 marked the birth of our son Calum but it also marked the advent of a situation we never imagined finding ourselves in, when at the age of 33, my husband Ian was diagnosed with bowel cancer. 

Statistically he shouldn't have had it. 94% of cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 50 but more than 2,500 new cases are diagnosed each year in people under the age of 50. There was no family history of the disease, nor did any of the 'usual' risk factors apply. He was just unlucky. 

Sadly (and probably because no-one had suspected that he could have bowel cancer) by the time the diagnosis was made, the cancer had spread to his liver. Despite undergoing surgery and treatment, he died on 30 September 2000 when Calum was 6 months old, leaving me as a widow and our son without his Dad.

Research into this cruel disease is vital so that as few people as possible find themselves facing what we faced. If caught early, survival rates are relatively good, but they drop significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis really does save lives, so any money you can spare will help with this.  

Bowel cancer UK are the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. They fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.They're here to stop people dying of bowel cancer, and I want to support them in all they do.