I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Testicular Cancer in September 2024. Within 4.5 months, I’d had an operation to remove the tumour and 3 months of Chemotherapy. It was rough but luckily, I’m back on my feet and one of the lucky ones.

I am running the Lisbon Marathon on 25th October 2025 (just over a year after my diagnosis) for Macmillan. An incredible group of my friends and family - Chelsea, Jasmine, Hayley, James, Robbie, Christian, Chris, Ed, Alexia, Paul – have decided to join me. What a team! Please follow my journey on my Instagram page '@fromchemotolisbon'.

When I was undergoing treatment, I found out how many people I know have been impacted by cancer. Cancer treatment, as it should, moves very fast. Before you know it, you're flying through different scans and medical departments. It can take weeks to get an official diagnosis after being told you have cancer, in my case, it took around a month. It leaves you scrambling, trying to piece together information through google and guesswork until you get the opportunity to learn exactly what treatment you need.

Macmillan were amazing, especially during this time. They have nurses who you can call and pester, who will help you to understand your condition, risks, what-ifs and be able to pass on this information to your loved ones to ease not only your suffering but theirs too. Having someone to talk to, who could provide answers at this time, was invaluable, They are with you for the entirety of your journey. Again, I was lucky, and some will go on a much longer journey than I did. Macmillan also provides mental health support and has a wealth of advice and assistance.

Their community forums connect you with people going through the same experience, so you can garner advice from their lived experiences and discuss shared issues.

Please support Macmillan - these people are heroes. Macmillan gives people with cancer everything they’ve got. If you’re diagnosed, your worries are Macmillan’s worries. Macmillan’s doing whatever it takes. But without your help, Macmillan can’t support everyone who needs them.

I also want to personally thank everyone who supported me during that time - Chemo is a pretty rubbish time - but if you're reading this and are going to go through it, keep your head up high and take it head on. Don't be afraid to pull everyone in for support. Positivity is the best form of attack!

Much Love,

George, Chelsea, Jasmine, Hayley, James, Robbie, Christian, Chris, Ed, Alexia, Paul

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