After many years cheering runners at the London Marathon, I was over the moon to receive a place to run in 2025 with Cancer Research. It's been my dream for a long time to run the London Marathon, so I wanted to do it for the most important reason and cause. I've been inspired by many people, but I'd like to share the stories of those who are my biggest motivators. Thank you to my mum, and Victoria and Taylor for allowing me to share their stories.

Victoria and Taylor

I met V during our first week at Leeds University where we studied Psychology together. We went on to live together in our 2nd year and we have been good friends since. I remember her messaging the group chat when she went on her first date with Taylor back in 2016. Her very first tinder date which would also be her last! Right from the start, they just clicked and V was happier than I had ever seen her. It wasn't long before they fell in love and moved in together.

Fast forward through many happy years together and the purchase of their first house, in early 2023, their whole world completely collapsed in on them. Aged just 31, Taylor was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour. Their plans for the future were immediately put on hold and their lives completely changed. Since his diagnosis nearly 2 years ago, Taylor has endured a biopsy surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He has also been on a clinical trial for the experimental drug ONC201.

Victoria has been a rock and constant for Taylor, supporting him through their darkest moments. I have been in complete awe of their bravery and positivity. Despite this dark cloud that hangs over them every day and the uncertainty for their future, they continue to live life to the fullest. They had a beautiful wedding last December and go on holidays where Taylor's treatment allows. All the things most people take for granted, now mean the world to them. No one should have to go through what V and Taylor have experienced.

With your support, Cancer Research can continue to fund trials and experimental drugs, giving hope to people like Victoria and Taylor.

My Mum, Alison

I will also be running for my mum, Alison.

Mum has been brushing shoulders with cancer for the last 11 years. It all started in 2013, the year I was leaving for University. After going to the doctor with some mild symptoms, mum was diagnosed with Vulval cancer. One of the lesser known gynae cancers, the diagnosis pulled the rug from under my mums feet. Mum was fit and healthy. Cancer was something that happened to other people. Not us, not my mum. It was a really tough few years for my mum and our family. It was a huge strain in particular, on my mums mental health. Being away at University, I felt like I couldn't support my family as much I wanted, and at times I felt helpless. We count ourselves very lucky the cancer was caught early and she received excellent care and treatment from the team at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

After having recovered, mentally and physically, from the shock of her first diagnosis, cancer came to rear it's ugly head again. In 2022, after attending a routine mammogram, mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. We couldn't believe it! The injustice of it. Mum's already had cancer once, why her again? Luckily, it was again caught early and removed during a lumpectomy.

Mum isn't in full remission from either cancer and continues to have regular screenings. Most recently, her consultant found pre cancerous cells on her vulva, which will require more surgery in the new year. With each check up, the fear cancer may have returned or spread is always on the back of our minds. My mum has handled each diagnosis with such bravery and grace. I know she has been very lucky and if it weren't for the amazing work of her consultants and the NHS, she may not still be with us.

There's so many more people I am running for. My uncle John who has had prostate cancer, my aunties who both had breast cancer, my Dad's cousin Beryl who died 3 years ago from a very rare type of bile duct cancer (Ampullary carsenoma), my godmother who recently died from Ovarian cancer.The list of friends and family goes on. And with the shocking stat that 1 in 2 of us will develop cancer at some point in our lives, one thing that spurs me on with this challenge;

💜 TOGETHER, WE WILL BEAT CANCER 💜