Hello, my name is Sam Skeat, and I’m racing the Manchester Marathon 2025 raising funds for Holly’s Hearts in memory of Holly Prince and to raise awareness of Bloom Syndrome! Holly was just 5 years old when she sadly passed away after fighting cancer (Wilms Tumour) for nearly two years. Holly Prince was a true fighter and a credit to the Prince family. She brought laughter and love to everyone she met.

Holly Prince was just 3 years old when she was diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic condition called Bloom Syndrome. Less than 300 people in the world are registered with it. Bloom Syndrome is characterised by unusually small size, sensitivity to sunlight, immune system deficiencies and an extraordinarily high risk for developing cancer of any type early in life.

Holly was diagnosed after 2 years of being on the 100,000 genomes project which is a project that searches the DNA for any abnormalities. Receiving the diagnosis in March 2020 was devastating for the Prince family.

With the help of a group of trustees Holly’s Hearts became a registered charity in April 2023. The aim is to gift families with children battling cancer heartwarming memories together or help with long hospital stays. Since becoming registered the charity has helped over 100 families with various experience's and respite breaks or a gift that supports them through their cancer journey.

Awareness of the signs and symptoms are vital for parents to know and understand. We need change so that children don’t have to go through gruelling treatments that have lifelong side effects. Research needs to be developed so that we can hope to find a cure ensuring no family has to go through the devastating loss of losing a child to.

You can also follow Holly's hard fought battle on her Facebook page and see all the wonderful things the charity do -

https://www.facebook.com/share/1UTz9pCiJP/?mibextid=wwXIfr