With Arsenal & England's Beth Mead as the captain of the 2023 Walk In Her Name campaign for Ovarian Cancer Action, after the recent loss of her mum, June, I wanted to take part and show some support.

I never met June Mead, and I've been fortunate to not know anybody in my personal life to be affected by ovarian cancer. But an unfortunate connection we have relates to losing my own mum to bowel cancer 11 years ago this March, aged 55. March was also the month of her birthday, and Mothers Day and just ALL the days!! 🙈

And whilst I never met June, when I hear Beth talk, and how I hear Beth handling the circumstances, the perspective she has taken and the gratitude for all that she and her mum and family shared, the smile she still brings in her memory, I cannot help but hear my own mum, and how I was able to handle that time myself in ways that feel very familiar, and also in huge part down to the very person we miss most.

So I will take part in honour of both June Mead and my mum, Jan, and hopefully help contribute in this small way to helping anybody have a better outcome to this disease as soon as possible.

Love to the Mead family and anyone affected,

Joe xo

This March, Ovarian Cancer Action supporters our stepping out to show their support for their loved ones - and raising funds to turn the tide on ovarian cancer. In 2022, the odds are against women with ovarian cancer. Only 3 in 10 women diagnosed live beyond 10 years. Its unacceptable. Its vital we make faster progress so ovarian cancer is survivable for all women. Our ambition is to transform survival rates so by 2032 at least half of women with ovarian cancer live for 10 years. We'll get there through increasing knowledge, funding research breakthroughs and promoting fairness in care - but we can only do it with the help of our supporters.You can join in too by taking on the challenge of walking 100km in total during March, in memory and in support of the women we love the most. www.ovarian.org.uk/walkinhernameTogether, we will turn the tide on ovarian cancer.