So we all know that 2020 was a monumental sh*tshow. Covid-19 has changed us and taken lives all over the world. It's been truly awful. 

But there is another massive health epidemic occurring and that is cancer.

Cancer research and treatment have been hugely disrupted by covid, charities haven't been able to fundraise as much as they normally would and many thousands of people have died. The NHS reported a 75% decrease in cancer referrals during the first wave. 

This is not acceptable. 

Cancer will affect 1 in 2 of us at some point in our lives. 

2020 was the year it chose to affect my immediate family (thanks again 2020!)

My wonderful husband John was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in June 2020, following emergency surgery for a suspected burst appendix. Instead, they found a large tumour and it had spread to his liver. This was a massive shock as he's very strong, healthy and only 35 years old. We thought it was a disease of older people.

In fact, more and more younger people are being diagnosed with bowel cancer and oncologists don't know why. Diagnosis is often at a late stage as symptoms are not thought to be due to cancer, and often misdiagnosed as IBS and other GI ailments.

Early diagnosis of any cancer is better for everyone. Curing all cancers will hopefully one day be within our capabilities.

John is doing well on chemo just now and we're hoping he'll have liver surgery soon 🤞🏻

I've decided to try to walk/cycle the length of Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK. I'm taking the scenic route, so it's 1744.2 km altogether! It's hard to find time to do this with 2 little girls aged three and one, but with the help of my exercise bike I'll get there (eventually!) 😅🚲 

I'd be so grateful if you could share this post, donate and help BCUK with vital research and support.

It's not all doom and gloom. We will get there and we will beat cancer. Let's make it sooner rather than later ❤️💪🏻💚

More about Bowel Cancer UK: We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity.We fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.We’re here to stop people dying of bowel cancer.