Ok, so my most annoying friend who I cherish dearly and wouldn’t change for the world has done possibly the most annoying thing ever and got a really rare Lung Cancer.

Even more annoyingly instead of a bake sale like a normal person, she’s decided that we will be doing a 370km bike ride to Brussels to raise some much needed funds for ALK research so she can knock about for a bit longer 💪🏽

We want to absolutely SMASH the target of £1000 and once those donations start rolling in, there’s no turning back 😫

So from now until August I am a pro cyclist looking to take on a big ole challenge for one of my besties so please if you can, donate.

Everyone who donates £10 or more I will be stickering your name on my helmet and taking you for the ride with me to say thank you for your support ❤️

Big love if you have made it this far, LETS RAISE THE BLOODY RUTH 🤑

P.s if you pay taxes don’t forget to Gift Aid (and if you don’t pay your taxes I’m going to dob on you)

please see her story below ❤️

In November last year, following multiple trips to the GP about a persistent cough, Ruth was diagnosed with non-small cell adenocarcinoma lung cancer, which was identified to be ALK Positive. This obviously came as a huge shock to all the people that love her, as she’s and very active, frequently cycling and playing football. However, this is a rare form of cancer often affecting younger, healthier people who are regularly non-smokers. The charity we will be raising money for is ALKay+ve, the same charity her brother just ran the Brighton Marathon for.

Unfortunately, the diagnosis is not curable, but we are so grateful that this type of cancer can currently be treated through targeted therapy. This means Ruth can avoid the usual horrible cancer treatments we are used to seeing and can continue living relatively normally. The tablets have been incredibly effective, even after only a couple of days of starting them, the 2 year cough had disappeared! From the first set of scans, there has already been a 70-80% reduction in the size of the tumour in under 3 months of treatment and significant improvements to her overall health and fitness. (Helpful for the feat ahead 🚲)

So far, the research into this type of cancer has allowed advances in treatment to progress with a number of different tablets available. However over time, cancer is clever and will become resistant to the ALK-inhibitor tablets. Therefore, in order to improve life expectancy for my dear mate Rolfy and others with this type of cancer, further research and investment needs to continue. All the money raised by ALKay+ve goes towards clinical trials and research aimed at new drugs being developed globally.

Frustratingly lung cancer is one of the least funded cancers in the UK, predominately due to the stigma attached to its links with smoking. Luckily, I have a group of amazing, supportive (and maybe stupid) friends who want to join me on a 370km cycle from where I live in Battersea, over the very hilly South Downs, across the channel, through France and into Belgium, where we will be greeted by friends and family (hopefully with a beer) in Brussels.

Im part of the badass team taking on this challenge for our gal - there Maddy; Bella; Curmit, Batts, Toni, Dani and Pea, Lily, Dene, and Hannah W. Plus our support (gahh we are going to need it) car driven by Corinne and Arron.