Every day, seven young people aged 13-24 hear the words “you have cancer”. They will each need specialised nursing care and support to get them through it. Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to meeting this vital need – so no young person faces cancer alone.

I was diagnosed with Classical Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 24. For the next year I underwent 18 rounds of chemotherapy and a week of intense chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

Throughout this year I was supported every step of the way by Teenage Cancer Trust funded nurses and youth workers. My nurse was just a text away if I needed anything or was worried about anything and the youth workers created a community where I met other people my age that were going through the same thing. Teenage Cancer Trust also funded special hospital units and equipment to keep us sane and get us through hours of treatment.

It’s a mentally hard and scary place to be for anyone but very much so at an age where the majority of the room receiving treatment are a lot older than yourself (I also imagine it’s hard to see this from the other perspective).

So I am running the London Marathon to say thank you to Teenage Cancer Trust, to help them continue the support they give to teenagers and young adults with cancer and BECAUSE I CAN! I’m here to be able to do this and I’m so grateful!

For context of where the money will go:

£25 - This could pay for an hour with a Youth Support Coordinator to help a young person cope with anxiety and isolation during cancer treatment.

£100 - This could help fund an expert Teenage Cancer Trust nurse who understands the unique experience of being diagnosed when you're a teenager.