Hi, please don’t worry, you are not seeing double! We are in fact identical twins from Devon. But now you come to mention eyes…….we want to tell you about Natalie’s story.

Last year after a routine eye test, I was diagnosed with a very rare eye cancer, Ocular Melanoma.

It was then, that my life turned upside down. I was referred to specialists in Liverpool where I underwent eye surgery and radiotherapy on the eye to stop the spread of this very aggressive cancer. I am extremely lucky that my cancer was discovered when it was and I am now navigating a new lifetime journey of vision loss and monitoring.

Every year around 750 people are diagnosed with this devastating cancer in the UK. OM cancer can frequently spread to other vital organs most notably the liver. If you are diagnosed with this aggressive cancer, you routinely have to undergo 6 monthly scans/monitoring for the rest of your life. .

Once spread to the liver, the prognosis is poor, with a 1-year survival rate of approximately 10–15%. There are few and limited treatment options available at this point.

Ocular Melanoma UK is actively campaigning for a ground breaking treatment called Chemosaturation. Studies have shown effective treatment of liver disease in 90% of patients. Currently this treatment is unavailable on the NHS, leaving many OM patients with limited to no treatment options.

Ocular Melanoma UK charity have been there for me every step of the way. They supported me through the early days of my diagnosis, the sleepless nights of worry and most importantly connected me with others going through the same process as myself. I owe the charity so much for all their help, on-going support and campaigning to make a difference to people like me every single day.

I am so lucky to have the support of family and especially my sister Emma who has been by my side all the way (I mean at least people will be able to tell us apart now!).

But because we come in a pair, I have dragged her along with me for a series of fundraising events throughout 2026 to raise essential funds for OMUK to continue the fight. (And if you know us…..omg! This is going to be mega hard!)

Some of our challenges include:

Emma – London Landmarks, half marathon

And we are both going to take part in the Plymouth 10k and Half marathon.

Our biggest challenge is in October where we will walk the full 100k Camino to Santiago walk through Spain following the path of the Pilgrims of old to reach Santiago de Compostella Church. A rather fitting end to an amazing year of fundraising but an amazing moment, a year post treatment for me.

Please, if you can give generously and help this small and amazing charity continue to make a difference to those with OM now and forever.

But seriously, please give generously........we will even be staying in youth hostels in Spain to complete this challenge! I think that must be at least worth a £50 quid donation! :P

Lots of love and thank you from me and the sis.