Running for Dean

[p]I am taking part in many races to raise funds for Sarcoma UK in memory of Dean Eastmond. So far I have completed the 2019 Manchester, Liverpool and London Marathons, as well as the Pride 10k. I also have the Great North Run in September, the Manchester Half Marathon in October, and the 2019 Valencia Marathon in December. [/p][p]In 2020 I will be taking part in the Manchester Marathon again, and hopefully the 40th London marathon in April. There will also be other themed events to support Sarcoma UK, with info released in due course. [/p][p]Dean co-founded and edited HISKIND magazine, and was an inspirational journalist who wrote for several publications, an activist who campaigned to raise awareness of injustices faced by the LGBTQ+ community. I was lucky enough to speak to Dean, and he was always so welcoming and engaging regardless of the topic. Dean's partner Adam, as well as his friends Arron and Paula, will also be part of #TeamDean, running on behalf of Sarcoma UK at the 2019 London Marathon. [/p][p]In June 2016, Dean was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer – a rare bone and tissue cancer affecting 14% of all bone sarcoma diagnoses – growing between his lung and ninth rib. His treatment involved 14 rounds of chemotherapy, Proton Beam therapy, a major thoracic surgery that involved removing 3 of his ribs and the surrounding tissue, and a further two rounds of a different set of chemotherapy treatment after discovering the tumour had rapidly spread.[/p][p]Yet none of this stopped Dean’s pursuit to be the best person he could be. During his treatment, Dean co-founded an LGBTQ+ culture magazine called HISKIND and regularly used this platform to share updates on his cancer journey online. These can be found at www.hiskind.com/topic/deans-cancer-journey/. Dean campaigned for clarification from the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority after uncovering discriminatory guidance that a same-sex partner would not be able to access a sample in the event of their partner passing. Dean wrote powerfully about issues beyond cancer and was recognised by Attitude Magazine at the Pride Awards in 2017, and then by Winq Magazine and the British LGBTQ+ Awards for his work. [/p][p]On 3rd September 2017, Dean passed away at Weldmar Hospice in Dorset.[/p][p]Since Dean passed away, his legacy has been apparent, and his friends and supporters aim to continue the progress that he started. [/p]