Hi everyone, Cam and I are running the Great North Run (Half Marathon) for Shine Cancer Support on 8th September, two years after I (Sophie) was diagnosed with a very rare cancer in my kidney – which was found completely by chance. Needless to say, this turned our whole world upside down.

As part of a gruelling treatment regimen, I underwent 6 cycles of intensive chemotherapy involving four potent drugs administered one after the other each day for three consecutive days every three weeks. Each cycle, I had to spend 4 nights in the hospital, tethered to an infusion pump via a port in my arm, which fed me the cytotoxic drugs, with another administered for 12 hours overnight to protect my bladder from the drugs.

Sandwiched between the chemotherapy cycles, I had surgery on 11th November (can't forget!) to remove my left kidney (radical nephrectomy) which, compared to the chemo and it's many severe side-effects, wasn't too bad!... Although, as you'd expect from surgery through the abdomen to remove an organ, walking was incredibly difficult afterward.

For more than six months, life was dominated by hospital stays, constant trips for blood tests and scans, and generally feeling awful. My blood cell count was persistently low, necessitating both platelet and red blood cell transfusions—ironically, the latter in the same week I was supposed to run the Royal Parks Half Marathon (entered pre diagnosis). The side effects were relentless; I couldn't run 20 meters, let alone a half marathon!

Through it all, Cam (and my family) was beside me the whole time. As my treatment went on, Cam was staying in hospital overnight, sleeping in a chair (health insurance wouldn’t cover a bed for him!) so that I didn't have to be alone going through this. He'd bring his laptop to work in the hospital and coordinate with my family for visits, ensuring I always had support (even though most of the time I was half asleep and feeling grim).

During the miserable time I was having, I dreamed of various things in life, one of which was being able to run again. When the opportunity to do the Great North Run arose, we couldn't wait to sign up. We did the South Shields Parkrun during a trip to Sunderland in May and are excited to complete the rest!

Whilst I won't be getting near my last half-marathon time of 1hr 46, just being able to participate this time is a victory. Returning to running has been a significant challenge, and although I have yet to regain my pace, I feel very privileged to be able to run again. Cam and I have been training together ever since I resumed running, and you can follow our journey on Strava:

https://www.strava.com/athletes/45616545

https://www.strava.com/athletes/84622034

We are running for Shine Cancer Support, the only charity in the UK that is exclusively focused on supporting people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who have had a cancer diagnosis.

Younger adults face different issues than their older or younger counterparts. Many of these are not dealt with by traditional cancer support charities and services, and Shine is a charity that provide invaluable support, from online workshops, fertility impact discussions to a community where I could ask questions about hair growth and other concerns. They created a space where I felt understood and less alone.

Any donation means a lot to us personally.

Thank you for supporting us and Shine Cancer Support.

P.S. if you are able, Please GIVE BLOOD: https://www.blood.co.uk