Hello my name is Essie and I am 19 years of age and a first year Uni student.

In October 2024 I have committed to run the Budapest marathon. I love running but I have never run a marathon before and so I want to make sure my first marathon helps to raise money for a charity close to my heart… the teenage cancer trust .

Cancer affects so many people, often unexpectedly and without warning. The impact can be devastating and distressing for those affected as well as their families and friends. Through running the marathon and raising money for such an incredible charity, collectively we can help to make a difference to young people’s lives.

I have been inspired to run the marathon as a result of the cancer diagnosis of my close friend Nell who was diagnosed in March 2022 with stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. For several months before her diagnosis she was told that she had tonsillitis or a chest infection by numerous doctors and given antibiotics. Her symptoms did not improve and in January of 2022 she found multiple swollen lymph nodes in her neck and was eventually diagnosed with cancer.

Nell started a gruelling 4 month treatment programme and was hoping to be on the road to recovery at the end of this time, however whilst in the early steps of remission her cancer had unfortunately returned. Nell underwent more treatment and had her first stem cell transplant in November 2022. After this time Nell went into full remission and started to put the pieces of her life back together.

Unfortunately a short time later she got the news that she had relapsed and her cancer had returned and was now at Stage 4. Since this time, Nell has undergone treatment and had her second stem cell transplant- an allogenic stem cell transplant from a donors cell. She is currently waiting to learn the outcome from this and Nell, her family and all her friends are hoping for a positive outcome and for her to be in remission.

When I told Nell that I was running the marathon on behalf of teenage cancer trust she was so pleased and told me of the importance of the charity and it’s amazing work and the support it provides. The charity and money raised helps fund specialist care staff and support groups, during treatment as well as post cancer treatment. This support provides help with the emotional side of cancer treatment and also helps improve a patient’s physical state too. It can give a cancer patient a shoulder to cry on or a friend to talk to. The money raised also provides patients with the chance to meet others who may be living with cancer allowing friendships to be built with others they can relate to and also allows young people to live some level of normality.

Any financial support you can give, no matter how little will go towards supporting a wonderful charity and helping Nell and others like her to benefit from both the physical and emotional support offered by the teenage cancer trust at a really tough time and when they need it most.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any support you can give.