This is a photo of me and my friend Sue. We've been buds since we were 11. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, at the age of 31. 

At the age of 30, Sue and I travelled across the United States for two months in a car that was too small. During this time, Sue showed me time and time again why she is one of my favourite humans. 

Whenever I left her alone for more than a minute, she'd be making friends with a stranger, smiling and laughing and making them feel important. She got excited about EVERYTHING, which sounds like it would be annoying, but I loved it - it made me excited about everything too. We didn't argue once, even when I ate all her Red Vines and had a tantrum where I didn't speak for a whole day (unrelated - the Red Vine theft was constant). She just waited it out, let it go. 

Sue is unflappable. She is the walking epitome of the phrase 'don't let the bastards grind you down.' In 20 years, I've never seen Sue shaken, or loose her spark, or her cool, and it's a pretty rare combo to have both of those things in the first place. But cancer got to her. She hid it incredibly well, and when I spoke to her, she was brave, matter-of-fact, taking each day as it came. Mostly, she was still her usual sunny and bright self. But sometimes, not even Sue could hide it. What she went through was a test of character like no other.

Fortunately, Sue is one of the lucky ones who fought the battle and won - she's going to live a long and happy life, bringing that sunshine to people like only she can. Cancer is the worst at any age, no matter who you are, but seeing one of your most full-of-life friends go through it young is terrifying. And, like a lot of people who see their loved ones suffer cancer, I didn't really know what I could do for her. 

But because Sue is Sue, she's told me exactly what I can do for her. YouCan support for young people whose lives have been impacted by cancer. They  provide workshops and short breaks to build self-esteem, encourage peer support and friendship and help young people face the future with increased confidence.

YouCan really helped Sue's mental well-being, and continue to do so, and that is as important as researching cures and treatments - having an organisation help you to hold on to a semblance of normality when everything around you is just cancer, cancer, cancer is an essential lifeline. 

So I'm attempting my first ever 10K (with hills!) for Sue - whatever you can throw my way will help young people with cancer feel a bit less like they have cancer all the time, and will be of genuine, real help to their daily lives. 

Thank you!