Extremely sad to have to post this update, but in the early hours of Tuesday 25th Feb, Mum sadly lost her battle. She passed away peacefully with me, her daughter Claudi and her Husband, our dad, Andy by her bedside. We are beyond devastated to lose our beloved Mum. She was one of a kind. We can try to take some solace knowing that she is no longer having to fight the pain that this awful illness plagued her with. Love you Mum, Miss you Mum. For full tributes to Mum, see my IG. x

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As some of you may know, my wonderful Mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year.

As bumps in the road go, this one is considerable. But in true Jo Sawbs fashion, she’s attacking her battle with this awful disease head-on.

I’ve always been very proud of my mother, but to see what she is going through and the strength and bravery she is showing fills me with a sense of pride that makes my heart swell and my emotions spill. It’s a form of pride you hoped you’d never need to draw on, pride born from seeing a parent do battle with cancer.

Just a month after her 59th birthday, living a normal, healthy life, Mum’s diagnosis came as a complete shock. She’d been having stomach aches for weeks, dismissed by doctors as nothing serious. Fast forward a few more weeks and those stomach issues were redefined as pancreatic cancer—like for so many, the diagnosis came far too late.

I've (re)learnt a lot about the pancreas over the last few months. Mum has had to change her life inexplicably to make room for the fact that hers isn't doing the job it always has done. The introduction of CREON tablets, to be taken with every meal to replenish missing enzymes, the onset of Type 3c diabetes, a type of diabetes brought on specifically by the cancer, and fortnightly chemotherapy, administered at the highest strength possible - just a few major changes since this cancer steamrolled into her life.

At times like these, knowing how best to support can be tricky but to do my bit I’m taking on my biggest endurance challenge yet:

🏃 April 6, 2025 - Brighton Marathon Double: 52.4 miles. I’ll run the marathon course from the finish line to the start line first, then run it proper, with the masses.

🏃 May 3, 2025 - Centurion Running Thames Path 100: 100 miles from Richmond to Oxford, passing through places that hold deep significance for my family.

🏃 June 7-8, 2025 - Endure24 Reading: A 24-hour race of 5 mile laps, where I aim to run 100+ miles (120 if I’ve got 24 laps in me!).

Mum has shown and continues to show great strength and bravery during these difficult times. In comparison, my challenge is small, but I hope that by pushing myself, I can raise significant funds for @pancreaticcanuk and highlight the ongoing strength of my beautiful mother.

💜 Please donate if you can and share if you fancy. 💜