In May 2025, I was diagnosed with stage 3 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue at 22. Before I was diagnosed, I’d never heard of mouth cancer or the signs and symptoms to look out for. If I had known of these signs and symptoms to look out for I may have been able to catch it earlier than I did.

As a result of my diagnosis, I had a 12 and a half hour operation, where the majority of my tongue was removed and replaced with a flap made from tissue in my thigh, as well as having a full neck dissection to remove 88 lymph nodes. I have also undergone 5 rounds of chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiotherapy in hopes the cancer doesn’t come back.

I now have life changing implications through having this cancer. I want more people to know about this type of cancer, and raise awareness of how dangerous and life changing it can be.

The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a charity dedicated to helping and supporting those suffering from or at risk of mouth cancer, throat cancer and other head and neck cancers, as well as providing assistance and information on living with mouth cancer for families, friends and carers.

Running the half marathon in my honour, which happens to fall on my 23rd birthday, is my partner Connor, my brother Tom, his father-in-law Wayne and Matt. We hope to raise as much money and awareness as we can for the mouth cancer foundation.