I’m walking because my dad got the chance others didn’t

Last year, my dad faced a diagnosis of urachal cancer. It’s rare and serious, yet through uncertainty, we have made it here today.

I remember sitting in the hospital on the day of his surgery. He’d just come around in the post-op ward, slightly dazed. Mid-sentence, he would drift off, then suddenly wake up and continue as if nothing had happened. It took nearly two hours to have one meaningful conversation.

It was unexpected and intense, but it was a moment I will always cherish. That day marked the beginning of a remarkable turning point. The team at Addenbrooke’s didn’t just fulfil their duties; they gifted him a future. Today, he stands proud and cancer-free.

That’s not merely a matter of luck, best wishes, or fate. It reflects the results of rigorous scientific research and the collective commitment of individuals to support initiatives that genuinely create a positive impact. It's important to acknowledge that not everyone experiences the same outcomes; I have personally lost family members, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and my father-in-law, to cancer. While the disease falls within the same category, each situation presents a unique story.

This diversity of experiences underscores the reality we face. Progress is not yet equitably distributed, which is why it is essential to continue advocating for advancements in research and support.

So I’m doing something about it.

On 4–5 July 2026, I’ll be taking part in Relay for Life in Bury St Edmunds.

24 hours. Walking through the day, the night, and into the next morning.

Not because I enjoy walking in circles for a day straight.

Because it means something.

For my dad, who got his second chance

For the people still in treatment right now

For the ones who didn’t get the same outcome

If you’re reading this, you’re in a position to help.

If you can spare a donation, please do. Even a small contribution helps fund vital research, innovative treatments, and supports the dedicated individuals who make recoveries like my dad's possible.

If you’ve been touched by cancer, you understand the significance of this cause. If you haven’t, the reality is that you or someone you love may face it in the future. This is a cause with significant, deeply personal impact.

Relay For Life celebrates the power of community fundraising to make breakthroughs happen. Across the UK and the globe, teams of friends, families and colleagues fundraise for world-leading research to save and improve lives, then unite at an event to honour everyone affected by cancer and celebrate the progress we’re making to beat it. Here's how the money you raise powers progress:£60 could buy a microscope lens, allowing our scientists to focus on the small details that could help us beat cancer.£2000 could fund the CanRisk project for one day, which is developing a way to accurately predict people's risk of developing cancer so we can spot the disease earlier.When you fundraise for Relay For Life, you’re helping to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. Thank you for your support.Together we are beating cancer.