I am running this marathon in memory of my little sister Sarah who we lost to sarcoma in June 2018 at age 31.

For three years Sarah fought a courageous battle with an aggressive form of cancer called sarcoma. Sarah was diagnosed in 2015, just a few months after getting married. Cancerous tumours were identified in her sacrum and surrounding tissue.

After intensive chemotherapy, a life altering operation and radiotherapy she had a fleeting glimpse of a future without cancer. However, it was a changed life. Surgery to remove the tumours meant some nerve roots needed to be sacrificed and she was left unable to feel much in her left leg from the knee down. 

Despite this, she was determined to live life to the full and learnt to walk again with a splint. She even completed a 5k Race for Life.

But, just as life was returning to a new normal, the cancer returned. From being all clear at one check-up, three months later the cancer had returned with a vengeance. Now it was in her lungs and liver.

Operating was not an option and the chemotherapy options were more limited. But Sarah didn’t give up. So many times I marvelled at what she was achieving. An observer would never have guessed what she was going through. From everyday life to organising a charity ball
to helping an injured cook at a National Trust cafe, she kept going in spite of the challenges she was facing.

Sarah showed me what you can do when you put your mind to it. So I cannot believe I am actually attempting to do this, but this is for her.

Sarcoma

Sarcoma is a cancer of the bone or soft tissue.

Sarcoma symptoms are frequently attributed to other medical issues, which often results in a misdiagnosis or a delay in diagnosing sarcoma. This is a huge problem as sarcomas are commonly aggressive and spread quickly.

Sarcoma UK are a small charity who fund research into sarcomas, raise sarcoma awareness, and provide reliable information about sarcomas to patients. Due to the apparent ‘rarity’ of sarcomas, advances in finding cures or effective treatment have been slower than other, more common, types of cancer.

Why London?

I have always found watching the London Marathon incredibly inspiring and watching my sister Kathryn run it in 2017 was an experience I won’t forget. My brother in law James (Sarah's husband) has also run it several times and will be running in 2019 too (many miles ahead of me!)

After Sarah’s terminal diagnosis last October, I felt that I had to apply for a space (secretly hoping I wouldn’t get one!) and after losing Sarah in June I knew that I had to give it a go. I thought both mentally and physically it might help me deal with what’s happened. And it is.

Donate

Running the London Marathon is going to be a huge physical and mental challenge for me. I am definitely not a runner! But this challenge is nothing compared to the struggles that Sarah faced on a daily basis.

Thank you for taking the time to read my page, please donate if you can. If you would like any more information about sarcomas or Sarcoma UK, please visit their page: http://sarcoma.org.uk

More about Sarah's journey

My brother in law James is also running the London marathon, alongside two others. He is recounting Sarah’s journey from the very first diagnosis through to the end. You can read more here: https://sar-comb-huh.home.blog/