Gillian's Story

I never imagined that I would be running a half marathon at the age of 67, but come 11 October this year, that will be me. In fact, running for 21 kilometres seemed downright impossible after I was diagnosed with cancer, says Gilly.

Gilly was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2025 after experiencing symptoms that felt vague and confusing. Here she tells us what it means to be running a half marathon and using that challenge to raise awareness and funds for Ovarian Cancer Action.

Out of the blue, just before Christmas 2024, I developed severe lower back pain. Perhaps I had pulled a muscle, but the pain got worse and spread to my pelvis. I sat up most of the night and at 6am I plucked up the nerve to dial 111, even though I felt like a fraud. Next thing I was in A&E. By January 2025 I was diagnosed with a grade-3, stage-4 serous carcinoma of gynaecological origin.

Completely unrelated, I thought, was a sore, bruise-like lump that appeared just where my nape and clavicle join. I put this down to being a bit run down. Later I would discover that this was a swollen lymph node. The doctors took a biopsy from it to use as part of their diagnosis.I had also ignored the weight loss I experienced in the three months leading up to my trip to A&E. Nothing major, but a departure from my usual weight pattern. I assumed my regime of eating slightly less and not having second helpings was working!

Before my cancer diagnosis, I was a freelance journalist writing about aviation issues and an event content creator and developer, which often involved some international travel for work. In my spare time I enjoyed sewing, knitting and yoga. I had downloaded the Couch-to-5K app in early 2020 and started running regularly throughout the Covid pandemic. The running habit stuck, and I have since often wondered if this switch to a healthier lifestyle helped to save my life.

The idea of doing a half marathon started off as a joke between my husband, Chris, and myself, while I was in University Hospital Southampton recovering from a nearly 7-hour-long operation to remove my cancer and deliver HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) treatment. I was determined to get moving as soon as possible once they disconnected me from all the drips and tubes. I started with short walks with Chris up and down the hospital corridor. I gradually built up to 10-minute walks in our local park, and then slow, longer walks up on the grassy heathland downs where I live on the Isle of Wight.

By late autumn 2025 I dusted off the Couch-to-5K app and started running again. My running improved. It was also a way of getting my mind right. Most of all, I wanted to live, not just survive. Eventually, in a leap of faith, I signed up for the Royal Parks Half Marathon, which is going to happen this October.

Running over the past year has boosted my mental wellbeing and helped me make the most of the treatment I received. I actually feel in better shape now than I did 20 years ago. I am stronger and more resilient, emotionally as well as physically. I was amazingly lucky to benefit from cutting-edge treatment in Southampton and a great nursing support team on the Isle of Wight. In some small way, I would like to give something back by raising funds for Ovarian Cancer Action and by offering some hope and support for others on the same journey.

It is easy to overlook that while this cancer journey is happening to you, it is happening to your partner and close family members as well. If you die, they will do their best to carry on without you. My husband

Chris silently coped with all his fears for me, while fighting my corner when I was too ill to advocate for myself. He has been at my side throughout, a shoulder to occasionally cry on and 100 percent encouraging me every step of the way.

After the Royal Parks Half, I’m looking forward to enjoying a celebratory dinner, and even a couple of glasses of something bubbly, with Chris and our close friends.

This traumatic experience has, despite all the adversity, delivered a hidden gift. Chris and I have been reminded what a great life we have together and how much we mean to each other. You can’t put a price on that, so whatever is in front of us, I will be grateful.