Story
In April 2020, I had planned run four marathons to raise money for Neuroendocrine Tumour Research (NETS). Due to COVID, the runs have been postponed until October 2021.
This cause is very close to my heart because my Mum, Philippa Stein, has been struggling with these slow growing tumours since 2007. Professor Martyn Caplin, at the Royal Free Hospital in London is at the forefront of this cancer and hopes to develop further diagnostic tests and treatments to help patients live a long life. The funds raised from this page will go directly to Professor Martyn Caplin's research.
Originally I had planned:
April 5th - Paris
April 12th - Vienna
April 19th - Thessaloniki
April 26th - London
Now I will be doing:
October 3 - London
October 10 - London -> Woking
October 17 - Paris
October 24 - Marathon tbc
Please read my Mums story and donate to support future research into NETs.
"When I was 38 years old I had difficulty breathing followed by intense tiredness. Often I would look sun burnt without being in the sun and my eyes would become blood shot. This weird look started to become a daily event. I knew something was seriously wrong when I ended up at the accident and emergency room. After 10 days in hospital it was confirmed that I had metastasis neuroendocrine tumours.
I was referred to Professor Martyn Caplin at the Royal Free Hospital, London. Martyn is a professor of gastroenterology and GI neuroendocrinology, he is Chairman of the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society. He received a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his clinical leadership and research in the field of NETs. He regularly lectures both nationally and internationally.
At first I tried a mild treatment, I was injected once a month. It made me feel a little better but the cancer was still active. In 2010 I received radionuclide therapy, a radioactive substance was added to a carrier cell called DOTA Octreotate. Once in my body, Y-90 DOTA-Octreotate attaches to specific receptors (called somatostatin-receptor) which are frequently found on neuroendocrine tumours. The radioactive Y-90 then destroys these cancerous cells. I received three treatments in one year. It was tough, but the tumours are know stable.
I want to thank Professor Caplin and his team for the hours of research in the U.K. and around the world, I am eternally grateful. My one wish was to see my boys grow up and they are now fine young men, strong and able to deal with life’s challenges ahead. For me the rest is a giant bonus.
Please donate to Professor Caplin research at the Royal Free Hospital. If one more person doesn’t have to suffer it would make me very happy."
Any sized donation is welcomed. Whatever the amount, each donation makes all the difference.
Royal Free Trustees Grant 311 (Quiet Cancer Appeal)