It all started with a mole. A mole that my eldest son had since he was very young. I was actually quite impressed that my teenager had even noticed that it had changed and was bothered enough to talk to me about it. We decided to get it checked out by the doctor and this led to a referal to the hospital. He had his first hospital appointment on 5th December and by the time we got home from said appointment, the consultant had rung me to say he needed to come in for an emergency surgery to remove the pesky mole that week. Conor had his first operation under a local anesthetic on Friday 8th. All went well and off moley went to be tested.

2 weeks later, just before christmas we were given the results. It was a melanoma and Conor was diagnosed with skin cancer. Everyone who looked after us at Morriston hospital was, and still is, absolutely amazing! They already had a new plan in place for his next operation.

2024 has been a rollercoaster ride from the outset. Many different tests and scans, second operation to remove more skin and tissue from the tumor site plus skin graft and sentinal lymph node biopsy. Many trips to see the wonderful staff in burns and plastics who are taking care of all his wounds as they heal.

On our lastest visit to Morriston hospital, we met with the surgeon who gave us the results from the biopsy. Unfortunately they found cancer cells in 2 of the 3 nodes they had removed. The cancer had metastasised. We are now being referred to the Velindre cancer clinic in Cardiff where we will meet with the paediatric specialists and start on whatever drug therapy is required for this next step of treatment.

I am so incredibly proud of how well my boy has taken on board everything that has happened. We could all do with taking a leaf out of his book and being cool and calm like Conor. I will also be forever grateful to all the people who work in our local hospitals who have given him such wonderful care, attention and help through everything.

As we move on to the next part of Conor's journey, I wanted to take this opportunity to do something to help support a cause that now has such a strong meaning for us as a family.That is why I have decided to run the Swansea half marathon for Conor and his continuing battle and to raise money for Cancer Research Wales and to give back something for all the amazing work that they do.

Our vision is a Wales united against cancer through world-class research. We work to reduce the impact of cancer and improve unacceptable survival rates. By supporting the best cancer researchers and clinicians across Wales, we are driving innovation and improving outcomes for the cancer patients of today and tomorrow.

Every penny we raise is spent in Wales. None of our work would be possible without the generous support of people of Wales, to whom are truly grateful.