In April 2024, at 20 months old, our identical twin girls, Rowan and Annie, were diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH). They began treatment at the paediatric oncology and haematology unit at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. In February 2025, following 9 months of chemotherapy to treat the LCH, the twins were moved to maintenance chemotherapy, which aims to contain the LCH and prevent it from coming back. All going to plan, they will have 18 months of maintenance chemotherapy. The prognosis for the twins is positive.

LCH is a rare condition. There are about 50 new cases in the UK each year. It is extremely difficult to diagnose and treatment can be a long road. LCH is also a tricky condition, recurrence following treatment is not uncommon, requiring further chemotherapy.

We are both running the Liverpool half Marathon to raise money for Alder Hey Children’s Charity. Having two small children with cancer is a challenge but we recognise our fortune at having access to such exceptional healthcare. We have had outstanding medical treatment across Alder Hey's services and the staff have been so good, so often going over and above for us. The twins also benefit from the bright and positive environment at Alder Hey. We believe every child everywhere ought to have equal access to such world class health care.

Whilst Thomas has run a few half marathons in his time, this is Michelle's first foray in to distance running, or running of any sort, for that matter. Despite the experience gap, Michelle remains the bookie's favourite.