Cancer has had a real impact on my family's life on many occasions over the years.  From losing my Gran when I was very young to brain cancer, a few close calls and real scares in my immediate and close extended family, and the devastating and sudden loss of my Auntie Margret last year, which sent a shock through all of us. It has always struck me just how vital the help and support provided by the teams in the hospitals, hospices, and charities such as Clan provide patients and families affected, it seems to me that the people make the difference!  Not everyone will know, but a couple of years ago now I was diagnosed with a Malignant Melanoma myself, on my right calf.  Those years of mountain biking in shorts through long Scottish summers with no suncream had finally caught up with me.  So I too had the bewildering experience of hearing someone tell me that, yes, that wee mole meant that cancer had tagged me too. They told me that to prevent it from spreading, a large area of the skin on my leg and a lymph node from my groin would have to be removed under general anaesthetic, but not to worry, most people are clear after 5 years.  Five years!  Well, 35 stitches, a pioneering skin graft technique, a missing lymph node and an embarrassing episode with some missing pants later, all seemed to have gone well.  In the weeks to follow I was invited back to ARI and given the news that they had got it all, there were no further traces of cancer cells and I was all clear (with the exception of a sometimes hilarious and embarrassing skin inspection every 3 months for the next 5 years!).I've never felt relief like it, and I'm not afraid to say there were some (very happy) tears.  

Through this process I was made aware of Clan and the work they do. Although I never made contact, it was and is a comfort to know that there was real care and support only a phone call or a visit away for me or my family should the C word strike again in any circumstance.  I'm delighted to support a local charity like this.  I hope you agree and add to my fundraising total!

Now I've not always been a runner, more of an extreme sports guy, but when they removed the 35 stitches from my leg I became determined to not only heal, but to beat the PBs I set before the operation, scars or no scars!  I also became determined to run a half marathon, something I achieved about a year later. When I noticed the Clan in the list of charities for the Run Garioch half it was a no brainer for me.  I am genuinely delighted to train and run in a Clan top, and hopefully help raise some funds to ensure that support is there where it's needed!  As I discovered cancer can touch anyone, and even just knowing there were people at the end of a phone is a great comfort.