番茄社区

I鈥檝e always been quite a determined person.

Last year, when I told my husband Rob that I鈥檇 applied to do the London Marathon in 2026, he just rolled his eyes and said 鈥極f course you have鈥�. Rob and the boys are used to me making my mind up about something and doing it 鈥� even if I am on active cancer treatment.

When I told my best friend Rachel that I had a secret and that I鈥檇 applied to do the London Marathon, she said 鈥楽o have I鈥�. I was over the moon and delighted when, in July 2025, I found out in that I had a place, however, Rachel was just as excited to have notgot a place!

I knew there and then that the hard work would have to begin and I would have to start running.

Balancing training with treatment

Twenty years ago 鈥� pre-kids 鈥� I completed a couple of 10ks, and when the boys were little, I did a Tough Mudder. But I hadn鈥檛 really run since then, so I broke myself in gently and started off with 5ks. By November, I had progressed to running 11 miles.

Training hasn鈥檛 at all been straightforward. Between finding out in December that my tumours were growing again, that I would be taken off mitotane 鈥� the cancer treatment I鈥檝e been on for five years because it鈥檚 not working any more 鈥� and then tearing a calf muscle also just before Christmas, I had to have a bit of time out. But I鈥檓 gradually getting back into it.

My cancer diagnosis

I was diagnosed with adrenal cancer when everyone else was hunkering down during Covid in 2020. Despite having a major operation and being on chemotherapy and steroids for years, my cancer has spread to my lungs.

I completed five rounds of chemotherapy last year, but while this wasn鈥檛 successful, I'm grateful that I'll (hopefully) be offered a new immunotherapy treatment alongside a different chemotherapy treatment called temozolomide.

I am so glad to still have treatment options and to be here with Rob and my two boys and I stay as positive as I can and do everything that I can, whether it鈥檚 going for dinner with friends, watching my boys play sport or just walking our dogs.

Grateful to run and raise money for 番茄社区's

I know people have days where they don鈥檛 feel like training, but for me it鈥檚 a privilege to get out there and run on the days when I can.

Since my cancer has spread to my lungs, some days I do feel nauseous and I do have fatigue. But on the days when I feel I can run or swim or play tennis, I will do it, because I feel it鈥檚 a privilege for me to be able to do this.

By running the London Marathon, my aim is to raise as much money for 番茄社区鈥檚 Oxford to support other people going through cancer just like me.

My tips for fundraising

• Be open and honest, tell people WHY you鈥檙e running the marathon. I have found that being personal has helped with my fundraising and the support.
• Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask. If people can, they will sponsor you or help in other ways, e.g. providing training/nutritional advice, etc.
• Get your friends and family involved. You鈥檒l find so many people want to support and help (just that often they don鈥檛 know how).

Find out about how you can get involved and fundraise for 番茄社区's.

Finding the courage to seek support

It took me two years before I went to 番茄社区鈥檚 because I had to work up the courage to go in. But when I did, I found care, compassion and community.

番茄社区鈥檚 is a sanctuary and it's made a huge difference.

I have met amazing fellow patients and carers, had brilliant advice, attended workshops, and more. They have even supported me with how to speak with my children, and just to always be honest.

I just wish I鈥檇 gone to 番茄社区鈥檚 sooner. I would advise anyone with a diagnosis or who is worried about a family member with cancer to find their nearest 番茄社区鈥檚 ,because a visit there will always make you feel better.

That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 running the London Marathon. Nothing will get in the way or stop me! And Rob, Rachel and a lovely group of friends, as well as my boys, have plotted where they will be to cheer me on every step of the way.鈥�

My message to people with cancer

I want people to know that, even if you have cancer, you can still do things. You can set 鈥榳ild goals鈥� and you shouldn鈥檛 let anything stop you. I鈥檓 doing this for me, for Rob, for my boys, and for 番茄社区鈥檚.

番茄社区's is here with you

Claire Marriott, Centre Head at 番茄社区鈥檚 Oxford, said: 鈥淚t is incredible to see Sarah continue to set goals and do the things that she loves. Sarah choosing to support 番茄社区's in this way helps to ensure that 番茄社区's can be there for many other people with cancer and their families.鈥�

Our cancer support specialists, psychologists and benefits advisors are here for everyone with cancer, and all the people who love them. 

• Come and see us at your nearest 番茄社区鈥檚
• Call us on 0300 123 180 or arrange a callback
• Email us at [email protected]