Patient stories

Sophie Umhofer, 44, was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2018 at the age of 36. She was told she would be unlikely to see her 40th birthday. However, later this year, she will be celebrating five years with no evidence of disease - thanks to an experimental immunotherapy trial, for which she was eligible because her tumour had a faulty BRAF gene.

Oliver, 34, lost his mum in December 2024, just a few months after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bile duct cancer. On 26 April, Oliver will be running the London Marathon in her memory, raising funds for our vital research.

Charlie Nodwell’s wife, Courtney, was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in September 2024 at the age of 40. She has recently completed her final round of chemotherapy. Here, Charlie explains why, having never previously been a runner, he will be taking on the London Marathon on 26 April, to raise vital funds for our groundbreaking research.

Caroline’s son, Bradley, was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer at the age of 22. Despite treatment, he died 14 months later. This year, the fifth anniversary of Bradley’s death, Caroline explains why research into early-onset bowel cancer is so important.

Dylan Peakall, 26, completed the London Marathon in 2025, raising over £6,400 to support our vital research. This April, he will be fundraising for the ICR again, running the London Landmarks Half Marathon alongside his friend, Anton, in memory of their close friend Danny. Danny was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer at the age of 29 and died 15 months later in November 2024.

Steve Phillips will be celebrating his 50th birthday by running the 2026 London Marathon to raise funds for our groundbreaking research. Motivated by the resilience of his mum, who has been diagnosed with four separate cancers over the last four years, he hopes to cross the finish line alongside his 18-year-old son, Ethan.

Abi Sherratt, 27, was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in February 2025. With her treatment now behind her, she is preparing to run the London Marathon on 26 April. In doing so, she wants to prove to herself that she is still capable of taking on tough challenges following her diagnosis, while raising funds for our vital research.

Emily Webster, 32, was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the appendix in 2021. Fortunately, it was caught early and following successful surgery, she now has no evidence of disease. In April, she will be running the London Marathon in memory of her father-in-law, Bryan, a keen runner who died of cancer in 2023.