A cancer survivor from Poole is running the London Marathon for a charity "close to his heart"
A man from Poole is putting himself through his paces to raise money for young people with cancer
A 29-year-old man from Poole is taking on the London Marathon for Young Lives VS Cancer today.
Sam Fudge was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer when he was 14 after his dad noticed a lump in his throat, he subsequently spent 9 hours in surgery, 7 days in recovery and 11 days in hospital.
He now sees the marathon as a chance to give something back to a charity that supported his family, he said: "I've personally seen the real difference this charity makes and it's this thought that will get me across that finish line."
Young Lives VS Cancer helps young people, and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them.
They provide families a free place to stay near to the child’s hospital, their social workers offer support and help families to navigate the costs of cancer.
Sam said: "Cancer turned my family's life upside down, but while I was in hospital my mum and family were supported by Young Lives vs Cancer, who gave them a shoulder to lean on and talk to as well as financial help.”
Before starting the 26.2 mile trek, Sam reflected on his journey, he said: “I look at how far I've come and how much I've gone through and it puts things in perspective.
“I've got a picture of myself after the operation which I look at it occasionally and I think, ‘If I can overcome that I can do anything’.”
Now, he hopes to complete the marathon in less than four and a half hours but he recognises this will be his “most difficult challenge yet”, apart from his battle with cancer.
“Cancer is something no child should have to go through,” he said.
Sam then shared his personal experience: “I had a large surgery because the cancer had spread slightly, then when I went in, I spent 9 hours in surgery, 7 hours in recovery and 11 days in hospital.”
The 29-year-old has now been cancer free for almost 15 years. But sadly, approximately 12 young people in the UK hear that they have cancer, every day.
Cancer brings fear for both the child and their family, it presents overwhelming financial woes, it results in isolation with many having nowhere to turn or no one to talk and even risks families being torn apart.
Last year, Young Lives vs Cancer helped more than 50 families in Dorset find the strength to face everything cancer throws at them while also handing out 33 financial grants (roughly £6,300) to help families cope with the costs of cancer.
Rebecca Clements, Sports Portfolio Manager at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “We can’t thank Sam enough for his amazing efforts, taking on the challenge of a lifetime for Young Lives vs Cancer.”