In August 2019, after a short 7 week battle with pancreatic cancer, my Mam passed away, aged 54. 3.5 years later, in January 2023, the news of my Dad's pancreatic cancer diagnosis came as a complete shock. He passed away 10 weeks later, aged 67. Pancreatic cancer is considered a rare cancer, and to have lost both parents to the disease within such a short space of time of each other, is unexplainable.

At the time of both my parents diagnoses, I was living and working in New York City, a place I consider to be a home away from home. Taking part in the New York Marathon has been on my bucket list for years, and after losing my Mam in 2019 I had pondered the idea of entering and running for Pancreatic Cancer UK. Now, having lost both parents to the disease, I decided to go for it and enter.

Since Pancreatic Cancer UK does not have designated places with the TCS New York Marathon, I entered through a ballot and was not confident that I would secure a place as the chances of getting one are so low and it comes down to complete luck. I was absolutely delighted (and slightly nervous), however, when I received an email to say I had gotten a place, and can't help feeling that it is meant to be!

It seems early to post this page in April, as the marathon is not until November, but now in week 2 of my training for the Simmer Dim Half Marathon in Shetland as preparation, I would like to give myself the best shot at raising as much money as I can as this is an event and fundraiser I hold very close to my heart.

I want to share a bit about Pancreatic Cancer too, as raising awareness is as important as fundraising. The best way I can think to describe the feeling of a loved one being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, is like sand running through your fingers that you simply can't stop or hold on to. There is no cure, and it feels like you are forcing positivity and feelings of hope amidst an abysmal prognosis.

When Mam was diagnosed, the stats were a 9% survival rate for 5+ years. This is now a 10% survival rate for 3.5+ years. Really, they are no better. This cancer type is underfunded and needs more research to come ahead. Early detection is critical to having any chance of survival, but the cancer is known as a "silent killer" as generally symptoms only present themselves once it is too late. Symptoms include: jaundice, loss of appetite, back pain, change in stool, fatigue.

It’s unacceptable that more than half of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within 3 months. Survival rates have improved enormously for most cancers, yet for pancreatic cancer, this is not the case.

Pancreatic Cancer UK is dedicated to taking on this injustice using every possible means. They're supporting people with pancreatic cancer now, campaigning, and funding vital research to transform the future. Help them to make the breakthroughs that people with pancreatic cancer so desperately need.

I want to thank all my friends and family for supporting me and Robert through tough times and for all your support and encouragement for the marathon.

Allie x