Jess, Kellie and Carl run the London Marathon for Prevent Breast Cancer
Kellie Armer is raising money for Prevent Breast Cancer
Participants: Jessica Stockdale and Carl Morphet
Story
Update Jan 2024: Another place became available to run for Prevent, Kellie’s brother Carl has gained this place and joins our team. We’d love to be able to reach £20,000
Carl: As Kellie's brother I've been following their journey closely since the beginning, joining a few of Kellie's 5k per day challenge in August & the group’s Manchester Half Marathon in October – it’s been an inspiration to see their progress & success raising awareness for Prevent Breast Cancer
Their determination caused me to read more, I was surprised to learn how terribly vital early diagnosis and action is; eight family members have been directly impacted, four unfortunately passing away: Esther, Audrey, Doreen, Cynthia
I'm privileged to be able to accept a place to join Kellie & Jess to raise awareness & funding towards a future free from Breast Cancer
Kellie: When Jess said she said wanted to run the London Marathon for PBC I felt overwhelmed with support and gratitude. At a young age I saw my nan get breast cancer. Luckily she fought it off, but it leaves a memory in us all. Due to our family history she was able to be tested for the mutated gene, and in turn my mum and then I decided to be tested.
Finding out I had the BRCA 1 gene quickly made me realise I wanted preventative surgery at some point in my life and finishing our family in 2022 felt the right time to start the process. I will be having a double mastectomy in June 2024 (feels real now saying it out loud!)
I love a run, but the distance of a marathon is daunting, what a better way to raise funds so close to my surgery than this! Please support PBC in any value you can! I've found it difficult talking about this process, but I am finding it easier knowing Jess is running this to support me and seeing the funds we are raising makes it the right decision to share my story.
Jess: I have known Kellie since we were 3 yrs old. Going to the same schools together, we have remained in each others lives and now have children of a similar age. I have known for a long time that Kellie would be undergoing the double mastectomy & reconstruction surgery but it still seemed quite sudden when Kellie told me she had set a date for the procedure to be done.
I think it is so important to have lifelong friendships not only for the moments of celebration but also for support through the tougher times. I really wanted to show Kellie my support and commitment. Running The London Marathon just felt like the right thing to do. I enjoy running but haven't been a frequent runner for some years since having children.
I am also a nurse on a surgical ward at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. On this ward we care for breast patients after their procedures when they need to stay for a few night before discharge. Here I have seen first hand the devastation that breast cancer has on the people with it & often their families and young children.
If there is anything at all we can do to minimise the risk of people losing their lives to this disease then I feel passionately to help drive this change. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your support, any donations and shares on social media. We appreciate it all. Thank you
Our fundraising events lead