In January this year my lung cancer was restaged to stage IV. Despite intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy, followed by six months of immunotherapy, we received the devastating news that the cancer has spread to my brain. Incurable but treatable.

I now take a daily pill designed to block the growth of my particular type of cancer; and in February I underwent Gamma Knife radiotherapy to the brain to treat this metastasis. Whilst we wait for scans to confirm the success of these treatments, we have been processing this new reality of living with Stage IV lung cancer, knowing that one day, the pill will stop working.

Lung cancer is on the rise amongst young people and, in the UK, kills more women than breast, ovarian and uterine cancer combined. For too long it has been associated with smoking, however, as a non smoker, it turns out that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. And there are many of us living with this chronic disease thanks to an increase in investment, and research.

I am a runner. I have run half marathons, full marathons, Tough Guy, Zombie Runs, 10k’s. Lung cancer, however, took this ability away from my body. But it hasn’t taken away my desire to be outdoors, covering ground on foot! My life has been lived by setting myself a new challenge and training towards it. So why stop now?

I have never attempted an ultramarathon, and there are no rules to say that you can’t walk it. So myself and an amazing team of cousins, friends and my wonderful partner Robin are taking on the Isle of Wight Challenge. I named the team Young Lungs, to honour all the young people diagnosed, out-of-the-blue, with lung cancer.

On the 3rd May we will be walking 53km from the south of the island to the north, raising funds for UCLH Cancer Charity in the process. Following our successful fundraising for Robin's Valencia marathon in December 2024, the Young Lungs team are targeting their funds directly towards the world leading TRACERx study:

“The TRACERx (TRAcking Cancer Evolution through Therapy) study is an observational study aimed at understanding the evolution of lung cancer. Researchers track how tumours develop and evolve over time by analysing the genetic mutations in both primary and metastatic tumours (those that have spread). The study also examines the interaction of the immune system with cancer cells, and how this relationship may influence treatment outcomes. TRACERx involves the comprehensive collection of clinical data, tumour/normal tissue, and blood samples from patients, helping researchers uncover new insights into the biology of lung cancer and improve early detection, treatment, and prevention strategies.” Dr Maise Al Bakir, Cellular therapy consultant & Oncologist.

The study, which has been going since 2014, is a flagship study for Cancer Research UK, headed by Professor Charles Swanton at University College London and The Francis Crick Institute.

Any amount you can give will go directly to this research.