I’ll be running my 32nd marathon in Portsmouth, Hampshire. This week’s cause is one that can be the difference between life-saving treatment and financial ruin—medical bills. I’m running in support of the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation, a US-based charity helping people in America afford the treatments they need but can’t pay for.

________________________________________

What are Medical Bills?

In many parts of the world, the cost of healthcare is covered through national systems. But in the United States, where medical care is among the most expensive globally, the bill for a serious illness can run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even those with insurance often face crippling costs due to high deductibles, co-pays, or uncovered treatments. These bills don’t just cause financial hardship—they delay or prevent people from accessing essential care, worsening their health outcomes and sometimes costing them their lives.

________________________________________

Why am I running for this cause?

Because no one should have to choose between their health and their home. In the UK, we’re fortunate to have the NHS, but that safety net doesn’t exist everywhere. I’m running to raise awareness of the devastating impact medical bills have on people’s lives—and to support a charity working tirelessly to remove those barriers.

________________________________________

What is the Patient Access Network Foundation and what do they do?

The PAN Foundation is a non-profit that provides underinsured Americans with financial assistance to pay for their medications and treatments. Covering more than 70 serious, chronic, and rare conditions—from cancer to autoimmune diseases—they bridge the gap between what insurance covers and what patients can afford. PAN also advocates for systemic changes to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone.

________________________________________

How your donation helps:

• £10 could help pay for a month’s worth of co-pays for vital medication.

• £25 might cover a doctor’s visit fee for someone managing a chronic condition.

• £50 can fund a month’s prescription refill for a patient with cancer or heart disease.

• £100 could mean an entire year of treatment access for someone in financial crisis.

________________________________________

Please support the PAN Foundation and help ensure that health is a right—not a privilege tied to wealth or circumstance.