In May of this year I’m going to be running the Pretty Muddy 5K for Cancer Research. Whilst a 5K walk might not seem like much of a challenge, after all it is only 3 miles, the obstacles that need climbing over, crawling under and pushing through make it all that more tough. But what’s even more tough to think about, is the fact that women from all over the country are getting together to get through these obstacles in the hopes that they can raise money in memory of their loved ones. Cancer is something that affects everyone. There are currently 2.5 million people in the UK that have been diagnosed, and by the end of the year it is estimated that more than a thousand people will be diagnosed every day. Over 50% of people diagnosed survive, and it is predicted that by 2030 the number of people surviving more than 5 years after diagnosis will more than double. The outlook is good, but with our help, it could be even better. (Statistics from Macmillan Cancer Support)

I’ve known friends, family members and colleagues who have been diagnosed, and luckily many of them won their battles, but unfortunately there were also a few who didn’t.

I’m not only running for them, I’m running for hope too. Hope that one day we will find a cure, and no one will lose their battle. Hope that families won’t be torn apart, and that people can live their lives surrounded by their loved ones, instead of their memories.