I made my brother Carl a promise at The Royal Marsden, and now I’m running the London Landmarks Half Marathon to deliver on it, raising money for the very place where I promised to take the fundraising baton and carry it forward in both his and our brother Dan’s names.

The Royal Marsden became a big part of our lives in the lead-up to Carl’s stem cell transplant and throughout his time in hospital, mostly at Sutton, with two trips to Chelsea. This is my chance to give something back to the people who supported him through so much and helped us make memories I will treasure forever.

In 2025, both of my brothers died just months apart from the same rare blood cancer, with Dan dying on 13 March and Carl on 14 June, both at home. There is so much sadness in our story, but there is also love, laughter and a lot of their personalities, which is what I want to carry forward through this challenge.

When I think about The Royal Marsden, I remember Carl’s relentless optimism at his appointments, sampling all the different café options together, making friends outside and going for a cheeky walk when he could. I remember his bond with “Cooky” from the very start of his admission, and him having a little rave in his room while all the IV machines were beeping around him. Even with everything he was going through, there was still room for Carl to be Carl, and those moments still make me smile.

Alongside those memories were some incredibly difficult days, and the team supported him through the hardest moments that not many people witnessed. I will always be grateful for the care they gave him, and for the kindness they showed us as a family while we were trying to take everything in.

Carl’s first trip to Chelsea was a scary one, as anyone who has seen someone they love in intensive care will understand, but the team were reassuring, honest and clear with us throughout. Being able to ask questions and understand what was happening helped us through a time when we were taking everything day by day, desperately hoping he would get better.

On his second trip to Chelsea, the team even set up a bed for me in Carl’s room so I could stay the night beside him, and having that time together meant more than I can properly put into words.

After learning that treatment wasn’t working, Carl said, “But I’ve got so much to do,” and when I asked him what he meant, he explained that he wanted to raise money for charity in Dan’s name. So, with tears in my eyes, I promised Carl that I would take the baton and do it for him in honour of both of them.

When Carl decided he wanted to spend his final days at home, the team sprang into action to respect his wish and help make it happen. Together with St Barnabas Hospice, they helped him get back to the people and home comforts he loved, where he could relax, laugh with friends, and listen to Iron Maiden rather than hospital machines.

In true Carl style, after making that decision he wanted a burger and a cream cake, which became his last proper meal and another memory that makes me smile through the sadness... finding a cream cake in Chelsea is surprisingly challenging!

This fundraiser is one close to my heart for Dan and Carl, and everyone at The Royal Marsden who cared for Carl with such compassion. I’m eternally grateful for everything they did, from supporting us through the difficult moments to making space for us to be together and helping Carl get home when it mattered most.

If you’re able to donate, your support will help The Royal Marsden continue its work for other people and families who need it, while helping me carry forward something that meant so much to Carl.

Thank you for reading, for cheering me on and for helping me keep my promise.

Marie 🖤