This November, I will be taking on one of the greatest challenges of my life – running the New York City Marathon – in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, raising vital funds for the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research which is led by my hero and oncologist Professor Nick Turner.

I will be doing so on chemotherapy for metastatic, Stage 4 cancer that occupies most of the vertebrae in my spine, my pelvis, my ribs and parts of my skull. I will be running with large masses of cancer in my liver that tried and failed to kill me this time last year.

I will also be running with the biggest smile on my face - at first at least!!

In February 2019 I received the shock of my life - a breast cancer diagnosis! Cancer was not something I ever gave a thought to but I very quickly learned that it does not discriminate!

When I ran up the steps of The Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital for my first appointment I never, ever imagined I would be running up them for the rest of my life and they would quickly become my "Rocky Steps!" My symbol of hope, perseverance and determination.

Multiple surgeries; including losing both my breasts and ovaries; 6 months of brutal chemotherapy, including the loss of my hair & the discovery that I had a BRCA2 genetic mutation followed. I chose to approach it as training for remission and ticked the days, weeks and months off, running the 4.5 miles to the majority of my appointments, until it arrived.

In 2023 I received a very important letter from The Royal Marsden. A letter of hope. It asked if I would be interested in joining a clinical trial. The trial that unknown to me at the time, would save my life.

The TRAK-ER trial appealed to me because of the extra surveillance which I craved and because the nature of it meant that potentially it could delay or even prevent me from getting secondary breast cancer. I was so IN!

Through regular blood tests, Circulating Tumour DNA was detected & I was therefore very high risk for it settling somewhere in my body and becoming incurable. I was randomly selected to stay on the standard treatment of care that I was already on rather than trial the extra drug.

But the knowledge of the DNA in my blood was HUGE! I had a scan which clear but when I felt some pain in my hip and lower back a couple of months later I told my team. Something I absolutely would have not thought to do without the knowledge I had. The pain was short-lived and had gone by the time of my scan. I went into my results appointment apologising for wasting their precious time but they delivered the news that the cancer had spread to my bones and my liver and was therefore treatable but incurable.

I was put straight onto the FAIM clinical trial which vitally slowed the cancer from spreading so aggressively giving me precious time.

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and the hospital itself has been there for me every step of the of the way. Their world-class care, pioneering research, and relentless dedication have given me hope, time, and strength when I needed it most. Every breakthrough in their labs has the power to transform lives – not only mine, but for thousands of others living with breast cancer today and in the future.

The Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research brings together the most brilliant minds, cutting-edge science, and compassionate care. By supporting them, you are directly funding research that improves treatments, extends lives, and moves us closer to a future where no one loses someone they love to this disease.

Running 26.2 miles will be tough – but it’s nothing compared to the toughness it takes to face breast cancer. Every step I take through the streets of New York will be fuelled by gratitude: for the doctors, nurses, researchers and the charity team who has taken me so lovingly under their wing. It is for every friend, family member, and stranger who has supported me.

I am dedicating this wild mission to my beautiful daughters; Evie & Gracie who are my absolute everything. The more money I can raise for this incredible cause will mean a safer future for their generation. The research gives me realistic hope that they won't have to go through what I do.

Your donation, big or small, will make a real difference. Together, we can give hope, time, and life back to people facing cancer.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love,

Natalie aka Firefly xxx

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity raises money to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. We ensure The Royal Marsden’s world-leading nurses, doctors and research teams can provide the very best care and develop life-saving treatments, which are used across the UK and around the world.

From funding state-of-the-art equipment and groundbreaking research, to creating the very best patient environments, we will never stop looking for ways to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.