Why am I fundraising?

My BEAUTIFUL friend Charlie Maxwell was diagnosed with Stage IV (4) Adenocarcinoma with EGFR+ Exon 19 deletion (Lung Cancer) in Nov '23. She was 44 years old and just 5 weeks away from retiring from the Army after 22 years' service.

Charlie's story:

She was diagnosed after randomly coughing up a blood clot in the shower. After visiting my her GP, she was told to report to A&E. A chest X-ray was taken and a few other tests performed and, initially, she was informed that everything was clear and that she didn't need any further imaging.

However, 3 weeks later she received an urgent phone call from A&E telling her that she had a shadow on her lung and to report back to the hospital for a chest CT. Having always been fit and active, having had no further blood clots and no real symptoms that she was aware of, she never expected to be told that she had Stage IV Lung Cancer. And if that wasn't enough, she was even more gutted to be informed that she also had multiple Pulmonary Embolisms (PE's) and had to stop all physical activity immediately!

Charlie has been very grateful that her cancer is oncodriven, and that there is a targeted treatment available to her. The Osimertinib drug has given her time and opportunities. Today (18/03/25) as I write this my beautiful Charlie is currently having part of her lung removed and the affected lymph nodes.

Who is this fundraising going to and Why?

The Ruth Strauss Foundation.

Our mission is to help provide emotional support for families with dependent children to prepare for the death of a parent from cancer; and raises awareness and funds for research into rare lung cancers.

Every pound you donate will make a difference in funding visionary research into rare lung cancers and vital well-being support to meet the emotional & psychological needs of families where a parent is living with an incurable cancer.

Fighting the lung cancers you don’t hear about. Supporting the suffering you don’t see.

Why??

I asked Charlie who would she like the money to be raised for. This is her story. We both agreed Ruth Strauss is an amazing charity and does an incredible amount for research and for those directly affected by these diagnoses of Lung cancer.

If Charlie has to endure and she has endured so much for this 18 months the very least I can do is run a few miles. But not just 26.2 miles but yes for those that know me... in fancy dress.... YES... As a pair of inflatable LUNGS!!! What better way to get people to look at who and what I am fundraising for.

I am not in my 20's anymore, I am very much heading to the other end of 30's. My physical ability has been limited over the last 2 years with an awfully painful back and having had ankle reconstruction 13 months ago. So I don't expect miracle timings but what I expect is to complete it and raise as much money and awareness as I can so where you can PLEASE help me HELP OTHERS.

As Charlie says You Only Live Once (YOLO)xxx