I found a lump in my left breast while watching Ricky Gervais' Science on 11 April 2024. Two and a half weeks later, at 33 years old, I was diagnosed with triple-negative, grade 3, breast cancer. On 7 June, I started 6 months of weekly chemotherapy & immunotherapy.

On Christmas Eve, I married my best friend.

On New Year's Eve, I had breast and lymph node surgery and, once healed, I had 3 weeks of daily radiotherapy; I restarted immunotherapy shortly after.

One of the silver linings to the trauma of 2024 was receiving the best care from my brilliant Oncology team at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford. Another, was discovering Trekstock, a UK charity that supports young adults (in their 20s, 30s, and 40s) living with cancer.

Having been advised by my Cancer Nurse, Victoria, to keep exercising throughout my treatment, Trekstock’s focus on keeping people active resonated with me, so I joined their program and was paired with a personal trainer. I participated in weekly online fitness sessions, even during my sickest weeks. These sessions weren’t just about exercise—they were about purpose and connecting with others who understood what I was going through, and that sense of community was invaluable.

Now, as I near the end of my treatment, I want to give back to the charity that made such a difference to my life. That’s why I’m running the London Marathon 2026 to fundraise for Trekstock, so they can continue providing support to other young adults living with cancer. Trekstock’s work encourages people to stay active, stay connected, and maintain a sense of hope.

If you’re able to, please consider clicking ‘Give Now’ to support Trekstock. Every donation helps fund the vital services that made a real difference to my life, and will continue to support others. Your contribution, no matter the amount, really means a lot.

Thank you for supporting my run and helping me give back to the charity that gave me strength when I needed it most.To follow my training journey, keep an eye on my Instagram page @AVOWLETT and Strava https://strava.app.link/Pm0D86o7fWb.

To learn more about Trekstock and the incredible work they do, visit their website: https://www.trekstock.com.