This year, I am honoured to run the Chicago Marathon in loving memory of my sister, Azmat (Azi). Let me share her story with you.

I was fortunate to meet Azi when she was just 12 — the sweetest girl and the youngest sibling of my then-soon-to-be fiancé. She and her mum were the first to welcome me into what would become my future family. I still remember that moment vividly.

Over the years I saw Azi blossom into the most beautiful young lady. I witnessed her achieve many significant life milestones, from getting her GCSE results to finally passing her driving test. To graduating, getting married, and joy of becoming a mother.

Anyone that met Azi would remember she was the most generous spirit with a kind heart and a humorous soul. I lost count of the times I told her over the years she was the funniest person I knew. Azi adored cats, had a great eye for design and fashion, and was the most gracious hostess. Nothing was ever too much for her, and she always welcomed everyone into her home with open arms. My children, who she adored and spoiled from the moments they were born, were no exception to her boundless warmth and love.

It was during a routine scan in her second pregnancy that the devastating news came—Azi was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine cancer (NETs), a rare form of cancer affecting hormone-releasing cells. Despite the challenges ahead, Azi faced each moment with ongoing grace and strength, after all, she had to keep going for her children. The endless hospital visits, tests, and cycles of radioactive therapy, where she spent weeks in isolation away from her children, would have broken most, but not Azi. She never complained, even as her body endured more than anyone should.

No one was prepared for what was ahead but Azi never complained and took each day and each hurdle the best she could. The relentless appointments, intense scans, medications, monthly blood tests and injections were so testing on her mentally and physically. I remember her joking about how she was always high off morphine, though it often wouldn't be enough to numb the pain. She went through 3 cycles of radioactive therapy where she lived in complete isolation 14 days each time due to the after effects of this type of therapy. How she done this with two young children who needed her, I will never know.

In time, Azi required blood transfusions, which inspired me to start donating blood. We remain thankful to those donors who helped Azi in these moments.

After 8 testing years of fighting, and despite Azi’s unrivalled willpower, the fight got too much for Azi’s body and the doctors said there was nothing more they could do. On 18th June 2023, Azi passed away with her loved ones at her side. She was only 39 years young and left behind her husband and two little girls aged 7 and 9 at the time.

Over a year on I still can’t quite process and bring myself to talk about what happened next. Our family continues to deeply grieve for such a young and important loss. I pray that no one ever has to experience even an ounce of this very tragic journey.

I think of Azi many times every day. It’s funny how the smallest of things can trigger a memory I shared with her from over 29 years ago. She taught me so much, even before she fell ill. Undoubtedly the strongest and most resilient young person I knew.

I secured my place for Chicago via the ballot in 2023 which meant I was able to choose the charity I would fundraise for. I remembered sharing this news with Azi, discussing my plans to celebrate and help her, and others with the same condition. Azi shared details of her chosen charity, a small, less well-known one, but a charity that had been incredible to her from day 1 over the 8 year battle.

After Azi’s passing, so much changed and I deferred my entry to this year, as I couldn’t face training in the name of such a fresh wound at the time. Since January I realised running helped me feel better in my grief, and I have worked hard to overcome injuries and even relearnt how to run long distances once again. I don’t think I will ever find running 26.2 miles easy but, as always, my why will get me to the end.

I always thought Azi was going to to see me through my training in support of her cause and celebration of her strength. I believe that she would see my victory lap in her honour - but I must accept that it was not written this way. I know that on the day Azi’s memory will be with me all the way…

Each donation will help the Neuroendocrine Cancer UK continue supporting the NETs community and will help them towards their vision of a world in which people know how to recognise, diagnose, treat, care for and ultimately cure patients with this illness.