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Everyone in Team 4Com will be running the Bournemouth Half Marathon on 10th October, raising money for Cancer Research UK. Team members are all training hard to ensure they are ready to take on the 13-mile route from Hengistbury Head, along the Dorset coast, and ending up at Lower Gardens in Bournemouth.

Our colleague, Ben, will also be taking on his own virtual marathon. Ben has a very personal connection to Cancer Research UK; his story is written below.

'On my 39^th birthday, 31^st October 2019, I was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer. I was training for a charity triathlon with some colleagues from work and in the lead up kept on getting out of breath whilst on my bike riding along the seafront. I thought I was simply unfit and it wasn’t until I later collapsed at a local football match where I was found to be anemic and a tumour found. Two weeks later I had an operation to remove half of my bowel and I started a period of preventative chemo. In April 2020, I had to stop chemo as I became too unwell to continue and in October 2020 after another set of scans, it showed the cancer had spread to my peritoneum.

Now being treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, I have recently finished my 18^th round of chemotherapy with some excellent results. The cancer is currently dormant and no further spread taken place. I am due for another set of scans at the end of November but I believe miracles can happen!

Since being diagnosed, I have worked closely with CRUK with my main aim is to promote cancer awareness for younger people and the symptoms it may have. Early detection is the key!

Completing the Virtual London Marathon is my aim, promoting awareness and raising as much money for the charity as I can.

Magic, my dog, was born on the 3^rd November 2020, the day I was diagnosed for the second time, after being told I didn’t have much chance, I really believe Magic was sent to me for a reason!'

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