Patient stories

George Southgate, 28, is no stranger to a challenge. In June 2022, he raised more than £18,000 to support our research when he, along with three others, cycled from London to Paris in memory of his dad. He’s now preparing to get back on his bike to raise even more.

Music artist Damian Knowles – also known as KNWLSY - was diagnosed with stage 3 locally advanced bowel cancer in February 2023. Following successful surgery and chemotherapy, he now has no evidence of disease. Here, the 44-year-old father of four explains why new developments in cancer research give him hope.

In December 2014, shortly before his 32nd birthday, Mo Haque was diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable bowel cancer. He was told there was only a small chance he could be treated successfully. However, thanks to immunotherapy, he has had no evidence of disease since 2018. Following his diagnosis, Mo also learned he had Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition which makes him more pre-disposed to certain types of cancer.

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.