Sinead Grimes

Why I’m fundraising...

I’m back at it, running and asking for money. Not a full marathon this time but still a good few miles to get through, all in the name of charity. 

In April, I’m taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer, the UK's leading ovarian cancer charity. 

I see first hand the amazing work this charity does for raising awareness of ovarian cancer, a cancer that doesn’t get as much coverage as others, but still just as deadly if not caught early. There isn’t a test to detect ovarian cancer (like a smear) it’s recognising the symptoms and getting into the doctors for a check up. 

With the symptoms being similar to menopause, you can see why it’s so easy to be misdiagnosed or missed.

Symptoms include:

• Persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes)
• Feeling full quickly and/or loss of appetite
• Pelvic or abdominal pain (that's from your tummy to the top of your thighs)
• Urinary symptoms (needing to wee more urgently)

Target Ovarian Cancer concentrates on what’s important to stop ovarian cancer devastating lives – that means symptoms awareness, life-saving early diagnosis, better treatments and support for everyone affected by ovarian cancer. 

Please, if you can spare a few pounds to support me slogging away at 13.1miles and to all the mothers, sisters, aunties and friends out there, take note that if you don’t feel right, get yourself checked out! It might just save your life.