My Story

Thank you for visiting my page. I've chosen to take part in the 2024 London Marathon for Sarcoma UK, a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma cancer and campaigns for better treatments. 

Sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in the bone and soft tissue. It is difficult to diagnose and one of the hardest to treat. By supporting me, we can help change this. Your donation will help researchers find answers, keep the specialist Support Line open, and raise awareness to improve treatment and standards of care. 

My younger daughter Natasha has been living with metastatic myxoid liposarcoma for just over three years.  This is one of the many different types of sarcoma.  She was originally diagnosed with four tumours and initially treated through chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  

In the summer of 2023 two more tumours were discovered. Thankfully Natasha was able to have these surgically removed. Through her regular scan at the Marsden another tumour was found on her chest wall in December 2023. Natasha also has regular scans at the Brompton hospital since one of her original tumours is sited in her heart. The latest scan showed two more small tumours in her heart. Natasha is currently receiving chemotherapy to try and stop the spread of the cancer and shrink the tumours.

As yet there is no cure for sarcoma other than surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  Surgery has not been possible for Natasha's early tumours due to their location. At the moment these tumours are stable.

Natasha celebrated her 40th birthday in 2023 with her husband and two children of 9 & 7. She has had to retire on medical grounds from teaching and take her pension - not an easy step in your late 30's!

As a mum all I can do is support this very brave young lady who as you can see from the photo, always has a smile on her face.  Natasha is doing all she can to enhance the lives of those around her and be positive about what is, an uncertain future.

Plodding around the London Marathon course (old knees prevent running!) in order to raise funds to assist with research and support for those living with sarcoma, is the least I can do.  Knowing I have your support is so important - thank you!

Your donations go so far in helping the sarcoma community:

£1 Could cover the cost of 10 texts to the support line.
£10    Could be used to buy microscope slides to look at cells  in minute detail. 
£30    Could fund one hour of use of a high-powered laboratory microscope. 
£150 Could fund the support line for a week.

Thank you for your support.