I have never run a marathon and its going to hurt! However, it will not come close to losing my mum to cancer - I had never even heard of ovarian cancer when my mum was diagnosed in 1999. She had been backwards and forwards to the doctor but symptoms were missed and by the time she was diagnosed the cancer was advanced. Heartbreakingly, she died within a year aged just 49 years.

Today awareness and support has improved hugely, thanks to charities like Ovacome so 20 years later I’m running the London Marathon in my amazing mum’s memory and support of Ovacome.

Ovacome provides a range of support services for anyone who has been affected by ovarian cancer, whether directly or indirectly. They offer a free telephone support line, a 24 hour online forum, email support, instant chat services and face to face support groups. They also work to raise awareness of the disease and to provide information from some of the top clinicians in the field of ovarian cancer.

Ovacome also fund a research fellow at Birmingham University, who is working to develop new therapies and understand and improve outcomes for women with advanced ovarian cancer.

As a smaller charity, every donation really helps Ovacome to continue and expand their services, providing vital support to those affected by this lesser known form of cancer. Any amount that you can offer would be greatly appreciated and would contribute towards their important work.

Please share this page with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere, so that I can reach my target and that together, we can help Ovacome to do more for those affected by this disease. Thank you!

Kirsty Warren