Thirteen years ago, I was diagnosed with late-stage colon cancer. It is something I have rarely spoken about publicly. At the time, my future was measured more in months than in years, so I know just how fortunate I am still to be here to tell the story.

This September, I am putting some of that good fortune to work by joining 40tude’s Sri Lanka Challenge: trekking more than 80 kilometres through the Highlands in four days.

The challenge honours the legacy of Tom Smith, who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of colon cancer before his death in 2022. I never had the privilege of knowing Tom, but I greatly admire what he did. Frankly, I do not want another family to lose someone to this disease when earlier detection might have given them a different outcome.

For me, this is far more than a physical challenge. It marks a milestone I was once far from certain I would reach, while supporting a cause that could not be more personal. I know firsthand how frightening a late diagnosis can be, and how profoundly it affects not only the person diagnosed but everyone around them.

The page explains the challenge, 40tude’s work and how the funds raised will support screening and earlier detection. If you are able to donate, I would be enormously grateful.

But my most important request is simpler: get tested when you are eligible, pay attention to the symptoms and encourage the people you care about to do the same. Please do not put it off.

I am one of the lucky ones. If sharing my story encourages even one person to be tested earlier and gives them the chance to say the same thirteen years from now, every step will have been worthwhile.

Thank you for your support.