I am running the Surrey Half Marathon to raise money for The Topic of Cancer. The Topic of Cancer is an award-winning Surrey based charity supporting Immunotherapy, a cancer treatment that is saving lives and bringing hope for a better future.

In February last year, we found out my Mum had a tumor in her esophagus. Six weeks later, we faced the harsh reality: it was cancer. What followed was a long journey, including eight rounds of chemo and major surgery in August to remove most of her esophagus and rebuild her stomach.

My Mum has always been very fit, running on a regular basis. Because of this, she was invited to participate in a research trial examining the impact of exercise on cancer treatment. Throughout her chemo she had regular exercise sessions, while being closely monitored. Just days after chemo when many people would struggle to get out of bed she was in the gym! 💪

Her determination not only bolstered her mental health but also made her physically stronger. Remarkably, she completed all her chemo sessions without delays, and her post-surgery results showed no remaining cancer cells—a complete pathological response! 🌟

The research trial was supported by the brilliant charity, The Topic of Cancer. 🩷