Running away from cancer
Friday 1st November 2024
UK
Rachel Bowen
1855
Running away from cancer
After a surprise breast cancer diagnosis in November 2022, I thought I would try to make something positive come of it.
I’m not planning anything spectacular (sorry!), just a couple of marathons, my first Barry 40 mile race since the cancer diagnosis, and various other races.
I’d like to raise some funds for the Centre who looked after me at Llandough Hospital throughout the cancer stuff.
I’d also like to support Endometriosis UK as having cancer meant I could no longer take the medication that had kept endometriosis under control, leaving me with horrible pain, weight loss, and ultimately needing a third general anaesthetic operation. Endometriosis is NOT well understood and often dismissed but I was more ill from that than anything else.
Lastly, my 19 year old cat, Millie, was beside me throughout everything - the nights of insomnia, the worrying, but also the good bits. Millie came to us from Cats Protection so it would be lovely to support them too.
Berlin Marathon
Been a while since my last update. Devastated to have had to say a final goodbye to my cat, Millie, in March. In August we thought we were ready to have a new member of the family so Daisy joined us from Cardiff Cats Protection. I’m currently in Berlin for my last planned long race as part of the year of fundraising. Hoping Sunday’s marathon goes okay.
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London Marathon - what a day!
Loved running London Marathon even though I was beaten by the giant traffic cone! Not my best time but my second best and a course PB of 3.23.12. Next up is Manchester half marathon at the end of May where I’m running for the Wales Masters team.
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Update 21 March 2024
It’s been a tough month. I won the Barry 40 in my best ever time (no other women started the race!), but a few days later, I had to have my adored 19 and a half year old cat, Millie, put to sleep. I miss her so much.
I’m also coming up to my first set of follow up cancer screening and that is stressful because it brings up horrible memories.
But I’ll keep running away and next up is London Marathon.
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Update - December 2023
It’s been a busy few months with a few races - cross country for East Wales, the Elan Valley 10 miler (I won my age category!) and then the lovely and sunny Malaga half marathon. Delighted to now have confirmed places for London and Berlin Marathons in 2024. Thanks for everyone’s amazing generosity!
These few months are quite hard as it has a lot of cancer diagnosis and treatment anniversaries. Running away from them really helps!
1 likes£3,734.45
+£761.03 Gift Aid
raised of £3,750 target
by 183 supporters
Supporters 183
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C2 weeks, 6 days
Claire Stevenson
Congrats on all of your impressive runs and wishing you continued wellness.
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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3 weeksAnonymous
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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B3 weeks, 4 days
Beth & Dave Richardson
Best of luck in Berlin and well done in the amazing fund raising over the last 12 months xx
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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3 weeks, 4 days
Anonymous
£ 2.00 (+£0.50)
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L3 weeks, 5 days
Lisa Cleary
Good luck I. Berlin, know you’ll smash it 💪🏼👊🏼👍🏼 well done on awesome fundraising 🤩
$ 10.00
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5 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 55.00 (+£13.75)
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S5 months, 3 weeks
Sarah Kembrey
Well done on such a fantastic run at London and for doing it with a smile on your face :)
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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S5 months, 3 weeks
Siân
Amazing achievements Rachel over the last few years facing everything with such honesty and bravery xxx
£ 30.00 (+£7.50)
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C5 months, 3 weeks
Claire Morgan-Powell
Good luck Rach 🥰🏃🏼♀️ three fantastic causes, you will do them all proud today, have the best day ever! Love Claire xxxxx
£ 40.00 (+£10.00)
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T5 months, 4 weeks
Tim Fry
You've raised a lot of money! Well done on this, the running and the baking!
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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P5 months, 4 weeks
Paul Manley
If someone manages to stop you, this donation is for you to admit dogs are better than cats. To be fair I probably wont be watching it all so you could pretend that happens, but if you dis, you would know and it would haunt you😜
Good luck, run straight, run true ... Except when there are corners and bends£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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5 months, 4 weeks
Anonymous
£ 30.00
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N6 months
Nick S
We’re loving the Rocky Road and continue to be inspired by your fundraising for great causes. Well done.
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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D6 months, 1 week
Dawn James
You are an inspiration to us all.
Well done & for the Rocky Road snacks 👍£ 25.90 (+£6.48)
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6 months, 1 week
Anonymous
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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6 months, 2 weeksCraig beaumont
Go Rachel! Had no idea about what you went through. Good on you for raising awareness for others
£ 23.20 (+£5.80)
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L6 months, 2 weeks
Lynnette Thomas
Sending encouragement and best wishes. Congratulations for your endurance and strength x
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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6 months, 4 weeks
Anonymous
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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C6 months, 4 weeks
Chris & Julia
….but running towards the next challenge & good causes. Well done from Chris & Julia.
£ 30.00 (+£7.50)
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K7 months, 1 week
Kat Collins
Keep going Rach, you are so inspirational without even realising it xx
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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T7 months, 1 week
Tom Oxtoby
Really glad to hear you are doing so well, and well done for promoting such a good cause! Best of luck 👍
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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L7 months, 2 weeks
Lou (and Noel and arth)
I defy anyone to watch you do Barry and not be inspired. Epic as ever. This is for the toenails 😂
£ 40.00 (+£10.00)
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H8 months, 2 weeks
Huw Evans
Well done and good luck with those races still to come 👏🤞🏻😊!
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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8 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 345.00
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8 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 20.00
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8 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 5.00 (+£1.25)
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8 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
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D8 months, 2 weeks
Debbie Moran
Well done on your fundraising efforts Rachel. I’d say two marathons was pretty spectacular especially considering your journey. Good luck on reaching your target and even surpassing it 😍
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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M8 months, 2 weeks
Mike T and Carolyn
Keep Smiling Rachel, good luck with Barry 40 😊
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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B8 months, 2 weeks
Bobby Pritchard
You’re doing such an amazing job! You are amazing in every way! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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9 months, 3 weeks
Lloyd and Chrissi
Looking forward to reading the 2024 chapter, been an avid reader in 2023 and always enjoy when our paths cross, the pentatharun a particular highlight.
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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9 months, 3 weeks
Anonymous
£ 10.00
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L10 months, 2 weeks
Laura & James
Keeping being fab Rachel, you’ll smash all your goals this year, of that I have no doubt. Thanks for all the rocky roads too!! ❤️
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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10 months, 3 weeks
Anonymous
£ 100.00 (+£25.00)
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10 months, 3 weeks
Anonymous
£ 10.00
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M11 months
Maxine Rhodes
I am so grateful you are you and I hope peace settles on you but I also hope you never lose your bad, bolshy bitch self. It’s a breath of fresh air xxx
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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P11 months
Paul M
Great to see you turn this dark experience into the light.
Even if part of the funds go to cats! (Boo cats yay dogs!)
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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S11 months, 1 week
Sammi
40 for your 40 and for just being awesome x
….and a slight chance of cake£ 40.00 (+£10.00)
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L11 months, 1 week
Lorraine Fergus
I think your just amazing human such a great cause ❤
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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H11 months, 1 week
Helen H
I only know you from Twitter Rachel, but you are an inspiration.
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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M11 months, 1 week
Mark Tregilgas
You are a true inspiration Rachel!!! Proud to call you a friend! - Love Tregs xx
£ 100.00 (+£25.00)
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11 months, 1 week
Anonymous
£ 100.00 (+£25.00)
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K11 months, 1 week
Karen and John
We are both so pleased that you have recovered. We must do coffee again soon x
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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N11 months, 2 weeks
Nia
Blwyddyn anodd iawn - I hope you've got lots of great races and challenges ahead, pob lwc! X
£ 25.00 (+£6.25)
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K11 months, 2 weeks
Karen Penny
Huge admiration for you Rachel. I read your posts quietly. You make such a difference to everyone around you. A total inspiration x
£ 20.00
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S11 months, 2 weeks
Sarah Scire
Go get ‘em Rach! Give Millie a cwtch and some treats from us :)
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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C11 months, 2 weeks
Cheryl J
Inspirational!! Hoping for a better 2024 for you - no doubt just as inspirational!
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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N11 months, 2 weeks
Nick S
Wishing you every success with your fundraising Rachel - you deserve it more than anyone I personally know. See you at Tremorfa very soon! Always a pleasure to follow in your fabulous running footsteps. X
£ 30.00 (+£7.50)
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P11 months, 2 weeks
Paula Williamson
Sounds like you’ve had one hell of a year. So pleased to hear you have made it through.
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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L11 months, 2 weeks
Laud
In a ‘normal’ year your running has been impressive, given the crap ‘23 has dealt you it’s pretty incredible!
Just a small donation, for the not very impressive Barry 40 next year 😉£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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11 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 10.00
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11 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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J11 months, 2 weeks
James Thie
You’re amazing!!!!! Well done The Thie’s & everyone at TeamThieCircuits
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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T11 months, 2 weeks
The Hardmans
A huge running inspiration to us.. always with a smile for everyone 😀
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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L11 months, 2 weeks
Lucy Hopkins
All great causes Rach. Pob lwc, especially the Barry 40! Lots of love, Lucy x x x
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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S11 months, 2 weeks
Sara Robinson
You’re one of the loveliest humans I know and I’m so sorry you had to go through all of this. You’re also a total badass and a running heroine of mine. We will never forget your kindness to us during lockdown. Big hugs. Sara and James xx
£ 25.00
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11 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 5.00
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C11 months, 2 weeks
Chris & Julia
So pleased that you’ve got through this. Happy to help with fundraising.
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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P11 months, 2 weeks
Phil Lee
Good luck with all the “Little” races.
Here’s a little something to say thanks for supplying us with such great treats 🧁 🎂£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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E11 months, 2 weeks
Ellie Jones
Only you would say Barry 40 is "nothing spectacular"!
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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D11 months, 2 weeks
David Pickernell
Good luck with the fundraising for these very worthy causes. David, Sarah, James and Shadow xxxx
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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N11 months, 2 weeks
Niki Morgan
I’m sure you have inspired many including me with your incredible fortitude and indomitable spirit through adversity, culminating this year in an amazing PB whilst representing your country. Plus I’m a sucker for helping rescue cats as they totally rock.
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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L11 months, 2 weeks
Lisa Nisaro Jess and Harry
Any excuse to do the Barry 40! That’s the race we love to hear about so I’m glad it’s on the schedule! Seriously though, you are fabulous and inspirational and here’s to lots of runs and cake xx
£ 50.00
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L11 months, 3 weeks
Lou and Noel and arth
We are big big fans of rach off the tele and we are here for it all x
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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