On the 8th March, my Mum was taken into the hospital with dizziness that was initially thought to be an ear infection. However, an MRI scan that same night revealed a tumour behind the ear, and further scans identified a tumour on the kidney.

On 2nd April, we received the devastating news that it was terminal and the most severe stage. Despite a course of radiotherapy to alleviate symptoms, their condition has rapidly deteriorated. It's unfathomable how someone can have stage 4 cancer and not realize it until it's too late. The progression from being on holiday in February to this point has been incredibly swift.

I'm participating in the 'Run 62 Miles in July' marathon to raise awareness of the symptoms for kidney cancer and brain tumour. My mum exhibited all these symptoms but dismissed them:

persistent back or side pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and rust-colored urine. It all began with unexplained back and hip pain last year, followed by other concerning symptoms such as a metallic taste in their mouth, personality changes, dizziness, and headaches. Even when they displayed classic signs of a brain tumour, it was initially misdiagnosed as an ear infection by their GP. The secondary brain tumour stemmed from the primary kidney tumour.

If anyone experiences unexplained back or hip pain or any of these symptoms, I implore you not to ignore them; please seek medical attention promptly. We must dispel the 'it will be okay' mentality and prioritize early detection and treatment. If my mum had sought help sooner, perhaps her suffering could have been mitigated. Feeling utterly helpless, I'm undertaking this challenge to advocate for symptom awareness and urge everyone to take these signs seriously.

With this marathon being accessible from anywhere, I hope to rally friends and family scattered across the country to join in. The statistics are sobering - 1 in 2 of us will face cancer at some point in our lives. By raising awareness of symptoms and promoting early intervention alongside advanced treatments, I aspire for a future where fewer individuals endure what my mum is going through now.