Like so many of us, cancer has touched my life in ways I could never have imagined, leaving a mark that is difficult to put into words.

I've been lucky enough to have two dads in my life, and both have faced prostate cancer.

My stepdad was diagnosed and, thankfully, after treatment, came through it. My dad's story ended differently. After battling so hard, he sadly lost his fight against cancer this July.

There are few things harder than watching someone you love battle cancer. It brings fear, heartbreak, hope and, sometimes, unimaginable loss. Losing my dad has left an emptiness in my heart that will always be there, and it has reminded me just how precious every moment with the people we love truly is.

Running became my escape.

At first, I couldn't even complete a mile. But little by little, step by step, running became more than just exercise. It became my therapy. My time to clear my head. A way to process everything and remind myself that I am stronger than I think.

And now, here I am, training to run 13.1 miles.

Every mile I run is for my dad. For my stepdad. For everyone who has faced cancer, everyone still fighting, and for the families who stand beside them through it all.

This isn't just about running a half marathon. It's about remembering, honouring, and doing something positive in the face of something that has caused so much pain.

Because cancer takes so much from us. But it won't take the love, the memories, or the strength we find along the way.