Running the odd mile...to help beat cancer

[p]At the end of June 2017 I was diagnosed with terminal primary liver cancer and given 6 to 9 months to live.[/p][p]Following 4 other procedures, on January 30th 2019 I underwent major surgery to remove more than 50% of my liver. A procedure that had hitherto not been possible to prescribe given the disposition of my cancer and the complication of having underlying cirrhosis. The operation went as well as possible. [/p][p]However, my tumour biology means that I am susceptible to recurrence, and at the beginning of May 2019 scans unfortunately revealed secondary cancer outside of the liver. [/p][p]I then participated in a dual drug Phase 3 Clinical Trial (CT)...with disease control as a key endpoint. However, at the end of September 2019, more cancer growth was identified and a further scan 4 weeks later confirmed that it is more aggressive than hitherto. This progression has naturally meant I have had to come off that particular trial.[/p][p]My treatment options are limited. I disappointedly and a late stage, have just fallen short of the eligibility criteria/protocol required for a Phase 1b ‘first in human’ Clinical Trial. I will from next week (9/12/19) be given a ‘standard of care’ chemo type daily drug...whilst waiting for one or two other CTs to come into view.[/p][p]No matter what prognosis lies immediately ahead, I am firmly resolved to uphold what I said after my initial diagnosis - I refuse, absolutely refuse, to go quietly into the night. I've undergone five procedures and am still jabbing away some two and a half years later, though the medics are unsure as to why. This is the nature of liver cancer in many, many cases.[/p][p]So, although I'm currently off games, whilst and when I can, I’m going to use my passion for ultrarunning as a means to keep raising funds for research into my cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) at King's College Hospital (KCH) in London - who have been caring for me as an outpatient for the past 14 years for my liver disease and who are now providing support and treatment for my cancer. [/p][p]I was fortunate to talk about it on Sky News in May, 2018.[/p][vmgvideo class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_aHRpRbTDf4?showinfo=0&rel=0&iv_load_policy=3"][/vmgvideo][p][br][/p][p] Your help with fundraising is crucial. I'm just not accepting of the fact that liver cancer is currently only curable by transplant (and the vast majority of us are either detected too late for that or are qualified out by other criteria). The monies raised via this page have been deployed to enable research into the 'mechanics' of liver cancer, to further understand disease progression...and ultimately to help target more precise treatment pathways for patients...and that is just so uplifting. I blogged about this deployment here: [/p][p][url=https://thorners.wordpress.com/2019/01/29/show-me-the-money/]https://thorners.wordpress.com/2019/01/29/show-me-the-money/[/url][/p][p]This is just a start.[/p][p]By way of background...KCH is a leading NHS hospital and home to the well renowned Institute of Liver Studies...and it is brilliant. Everyone I've met there, from porter to nursing support to Consultant have been off the chart with their dedication to patient care. [/p][p]They all know that liver cancer patients have very poor prognosis. [/p][p]Having spent some time as a patient on the wards there, you just sense how much more the team want to do to fix you completely or to get you more time.[/p][p]But in the majority of cases they can't...the treatment options for liver cancer patients are very limited, the research £s are just not there (and I'm not going to get political here), I get the sense that NHS funding for critical illness is still massively triaged, let alone is it enough in relative terms. The big Pharma companies have their own agendas and preferred target markets.[/p][p]So, I'm going to do my bit to help KCH (Charity Fund), and thus am asking for your support. I've had tremendous support to date as I've taken on a number of races...ranging from running 100 miles continuously in the Sonoran desert in Arizona to 145 miles down the Grand Union Canal (from Birmingham to Paddington) to 100 miles in the forests of the Brabant in Belgium.[/p][p]I find myself once again at the edge of that precipice...but am now even more determined to raise further funds to help beat this complex cancer.[/p][p]Notwithstanding the new cancer, I am going to be out there putting my best foot forward. You bet.[/p][p]May I thank you for any and all support,[/p][p]Mark[/p][p]PS - if eligible, please don't forget to check the Gift Aid box![/p][p]email: mark@thornberry.co.uk[/p][p]twitter: @thorners125[/p][p]blog: https://thorners.wordpress.com[/p]