Run for The Christie’s Manchester

Hi my name is Lily and me and my boyfriend Jack are running the Manchester 10k on the 18th May to raise money for The Christies.

This is a charity very close to my heart as they are currently treating my mum for a rare and aggressive type of cancer. (ATRT)

My Mum’s story :

May 2024 my mum woke up one morning with pains in her neck and back she just put it down to sleeping funny and thought nothing of it. The pain became increasingly worse very quickly and

within weeks my mum was in that much pain we knew something wasn’t right therefore we got her examined.

Thankfully, she was seen and assessed very quickly due to an existing condition and had multiple scans and tests done.

On the 11th June my mum went for her results thinking it was probably a slip disc in her back or something with an easy fix ; only to be told she had a tumour in her spine pressing on her spinal cord.

We were in absolute shock and disbelief.

My mum was then referred to a Neurosurgeon who said if they didn’t operate quickly then she could be paralysed and there was also a huge possibility of causing damage by removing it.

During this time my mums condition deteriorated and her mobility decreased, she was unable to use her arm and was dragging her leg.

We went with the advice given and on the 30th June my mum was operated on to remove the tumour.

Thankfully the operation was successful and caused no complications or damage to her spinal cord.

The surgical team managed to remove the majority, however, they had to leave behind some that was stuck to her spinal cord and if they removed it, it would have paralysed her.

Within 1 week my mum was up walking and heading home.

The tumour was then sent off for testing however the surgeon said that he thought it was Benign.

The Results came back from the Lab in Manchester with some unusual findings so they were sent to London .

The results showed it was an ATRT tumour - a rare and aggressive Grade 4 cancer typically found in children under 3 years.

It was then sent back to Manchester to be confirmed which it was .

In total it took 9 whole weeks !

My mums care was then passed onto the cancer pathway within the NHS and to an amazing Professor at The Christie’s Manchester.

However, because my mums tumour is so rare they have only ever dealt with 1 other case in Christie’s.

My mum was told from the first appointment that for a good chance of survival she would need both Radiotherapy and intensive Chemotherapy.

They told us that the average life expectancy for someone who is diagnosed with this, is a few short years however, we can’t put mum in that average as she’s 50 and the rest are children.

From there she started 6 weeks of radiotherapy every day and then Chemotherapy.

She has just completed cycle 6 /9 and has been so strong and resilient throughout, regardless of what has been thrown at her from blood clots to numerous blood transfusions.

So we are running not only for her but for the amazing work, research and care that The Christie’s have given my mum so far.

You are all amazing!

Lily x

Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of The Christie Charity and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about The Christie Charity: The Christie Charity supports Cancer research, care and treatment above and beyond that which the NHS provides.