I am running the Great North Run on 7th September 2025 for the Miscarriage Association, a charity that has supported my partner Polly and I throughout an incredibly difficult time.

In February 2025, we found out that Polly was pregnant. We were both absolutely over the moon as we had spoke about becoming parents since we met.

At the end of March after several ultrasound scans, blood tests, hospital appointments and weeks of Polly feeling and being sick, we found out that she had suffered a ‘molar pregnancy’ and required to have surgery as soon as possible to remove the tissue. We were absolutely heartbroken and felt like all our dreams of becoming parents had been shattered.

We went home that night and began researching molar pregnancy as we had never heard of it. Suffering a loss in itself was extremely difficult and upsetting and to then hear the words molar pregnancy was really overwhelming. We used the resources available from the Miscarriage Association and read other people’s stories on their website. We found these to be really helpful and felt like we weren’t alone.

Molar pregnancy affects 1 in every 590 pregnancies in the UK. There are two types of molar pregnancy, complete and partial, with 10-15% of complete cases becoming cancerous. There are only 3 hospitals in the UK that specialise in this as it is so rare, and only one that offers treatment which is Charing Cross Hospital in London.

Polly had her first surgical evacuation and we were told that the tissue would be sent to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee to determine if it was a complete or partial molar pregnancy.

Polly initially felt better after the operation however a few days later, she became really ill again with nausea and vomiting. We re-attended at the hospital who conducted further scans and tests which showed that the tissue had grown back.

Polly had another surgical evacuation the following day and lost a large amount of blood resulting in her having to have a blood transfusion and be admitted to hospital for 3 days.

Polly was discharged and continued to have her hCG levels (pregnancy hormones) monitored and have scans to ensure the tissue wasn’t growing back.

Two weeks later, she was told that her levels were rising and the tissue was growing again. We were told that Polly would have to go to Charing Cross hospital in London the following day to have urgent treatment for this.

We went to Charing Cross and met with the specialist team. Polly had blood tests, an ultrasound and x-rays conducted and was diagnosed with Progressive Gestational Trophoblastic Disease which is a form of cancer. They said that she would require to have chemotherapy starting that day to prevent the tissue from continuing to grow and spread throughout her body.

Polly was admitted to the oncology ward at Charing Cross Hospital where she received her first week of chemotherapy. She has just completed this and will now have to have chemotherapy 4 times a week every second week at a local hospital.

The Miscarriage Association has been a vital source of information and emotional support throughout this difficult time. We are fundraising to help them continue their amazing work and to spread awareness about this rare but serious condition. We don’t want anyone to feel alone.

Any donations or shares would be really appreciated.