Hey everyone,

For those of you that may not know me , I unfortunately lost my mum to Cancer in 2017. I have always known I wanted to do something special to raise money and awareness so when I started running this year I put the London Marathon on my bucket list of things to do before I’m 30. Lymphoma was the only charity place I applied for and I’m a big believer in fate. So here I am running for Lymphoma Action in the London Marathon 2025 and raising money for a charity that is so special to my heart 🤍

Here’s my story:

My mum was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer in 2011 when I was 15. My mum spend the next 5 years of her life receiving treatment at Heartlands hospital in Birmingham. The whole period felt like a whirlwind but my mum was, and still is one of the strongest women I know. I remember getting the train and a bus to Heartlands hospital most weeks after school and sixth form to visit my mum. We celebrated many birthdays and special occasions in the hospital. It was such a strange period of life because although my mum was receiving treatment for cancer for those years, I still remember all the amazing memories and she would never let it impact mine and my brother’s lives growing up. Over the Christmas period of 2016, my mum received the all clear and as a family it is best news you can receive.

Unfortunately after less than 6 months of us receiving the good news my mums cancer had returned and this time spread to the brain and there was nothing that could be done. Within 4 weeks of my mum going back into hospital she sadly passed away in Intensive Care surrounded by her loved ones. For the first year, I remember feeling completely lost and lonely trying to get through the funeral, first birthdays and the first Christmas. For anyone who has lost someone close will know this feeling.

I was 21 when I lost my mum, and at the time didn’t even know that charities like Lymphoma Action existed. Lymphoma Action not only helps those diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer but also provides help and support to families and loved ones of the individual. If I’d have known that charities like Lymphoma existed they could have supported us as a family through the most terrible of times.

So to be able to run for a chairty that is so close to my heart and where I can make a real difference to peoples lives who have gone through the same as me is really special.

To keep me motivated on this journey to running the London Marathon, I ran a half marathon in April followed by the two castles 10km in June. I have another 10k booked in September 24 and a half marathon booked in November 24. I have also started with a new online coach who is building my training plans for me so that I avoid getting injured during my training.

For those of you that would like to see my journey, I have linked my runs on strava to this page and I will also be documenting my journey on my fitness instagram: laurend.fitness . Please feel free to give me a follow ☺️

Your donations (no matter how big or small) will go directly to the charity to help individuals diagnosed and families affected by Lymphoma cancer - a charity that I wish I knew about when I lost my mum at the age of 21 and was so lost in life. I think at whatever age you lose a parent, a part of you gets lost on your journey in life.

I hope your donations can help to make lives that little bit easier in those tough times.

Thank you,

Lauren

P.S. please donate I’m literally running 26.2 miles x