First of all, thank you for coming to my page and taking the time to read about Kidney Cancer UK. 

I wanted to start off by explaining why I want to raise money for KCUK.

Anyone that knows me will say I am a daddy's girl (sorry mum) and he is my absolute hero. Everyone thinks their dad is invincible but mine had got to 70 without ever spending a night in hospital so I was pretty convinced he was! However, in December 2021 he was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney. 

Watching someone deal with cancer is so very hard and with the ever-present covid, it felt like we were all even further away than usual. Whilst we waited for dates for surgery and prognosis I looked for ways to help. 

I have wanted to do the London Marathon for a few years now and running is something I have always shared as a hobby with my dad. 

Running the marathon for KCUK will be one of my proudest achievements. I am running for my dad and all those whose lives have been touched by cancer. 

Update on my dad 

My dad had a team of amazing doctors, nurses and consultants. He was in surgery for 12 hours to remove a tumour in his kidney and part of his bowel.  

We have a way to go with recovery and already had a few setbacks but my dad has had amazing support. It will be a while to go before my dad is running again but we have been so lucky and I am so thankful the cancer was caught as early as it was. 

More about Kidney cancer

Until my dad was diagnosed I didn't really know a lot about kidney cancer. I have since learnt that although it is a relatively rare cancer it still ranks as the eighth most common cancer in adults in the UK. If the symptoms are spotted early it can be cured which is why it is so important to spread awareness 

Common symptoms 

1. Blood in the urine is the most common symptom
2. Persistent low back pain or pain, in your side between your ribs and hipbone
3. A lump or mass in the area of the kidneys

Other symptoms include

1. Abnormal red blood cell counts
2. High blood pressure or hypertension
3. Thickening of the blood (polycythaemia)
4. Tiredness
5. Weight loss and/or loss of appetite
6. Running a persistent temperature and sweating heavily, especially at night

Please follow my journey on Instagram where I will share the highs and lows of training for a marathon @mrs_m_richards