In 2016 we received the devastating news that my Dad had Pleural Mesothelioma, a form of Lung Cancer, caused by exposure to Asbestos when he was only 21 working as a carpentry apprentice. Mesothelioma has a terminal diagnosis and initial prognosis was poor with a life expectancy of only 9 – 18 months, however my brave Dad battled through numerous painful treatments and operations, never complaining, determined to be with us as long as possible.  

He managed to fight for 3 years and we all started to hope that he might be the exception, however it wasn’t meant to be and this evil disease finally got too much for him - over 3 heart-breaking months he was reduced to a shadow of the proud, determined and tough northerner he was, until he passed away in August 2019.

I’m not a ‘natural’ runner and before this had only ever run 5k at a push, so running 13.1 miles is a pretty daunting task, however it’s nothing compared to what my Dad went though! It’s been 5 months since we lost him, I miss him every minute of the day and the pain doesn’t go away, but I’m going to channel this pain on the day and am determined to run the whole way to make him proud of me.

All money I manage to raise will go towards research and treatment of the disease to help hopefully one day find a cure.  Money raised will also go to the amazing doctors and nurses who never give up the fight, providing hope for others and their families battling this disease. 

No matter how big or small the donation every penny counts and will be very much appreciated!

About Mesothelioma & Risks of Asbestos exposure

Pleural Mesothelioma is a particularly nasty form of cancer, causing the lung lining to thicken until it is impossible to breathe, most people with mesothelioma of the lung die as a result of respiratory failure or pneumonia.   It is still considered a rare cancer, with around 2500 cases diagnosed a year in the UK and mainly affects older people who were exposed to asbestos before it was banned in the UK.  However asbestos is still all around us in older buildings including schools and hospitals.   

It only takes the asbestos dust or fibres to be slightly disturbed for them to become airborne -  there are 2 million spores of asbestos on one pin head, but Mesothelioma can develop by inhaling just 1 or 2 spores.  Adults and children continue to be at risk of exposure to asbestos and more research/awareness is required to hopefully one day find a cure and save other families having to go through the same pain as us.

Thanks

Becky xx

#fuckcancer