Oct 11, 2025

From Cancer Diagnosis to Ultra Marathon

Thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page. For me life took an unexpected turn in May 2024 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer of the oesophagus. As an active 40-year-old, father of two, with no awareness of cancer of the oesophagus or the symptoms - the news came as a total shock. Whilst I had experienced intermittent problems swallowing, which caused the initial trips to my GP and the following endoscopy, the real issue was persistent heartburn – which like many I ignored, excused (stress, busy life, eating fast, a couple of drinks) or treated with the many easily available over the counter products. - Cancer of the oesophagus is considered one of 6 Less Survivable Cancers https://lesssurvivablecancers.org.uk/ - UK has one of the highest rates of cancer of the oesophagus in Europe at 14.9 cases per 100,000 people - Currently on the rise, about 9,200 cases of oesophageal cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK - Only 15% of adult oesophageal cancer patients survive for 5 years or more Following my diagnosis I have been through a journey of treatment, supported by many incredible people and medical professionals. To kick off with, 8 weeks of pre-operative (neoadjuvant) FLOT chemotherapy, followed by major surgery (RAMIE procedure) removing the cancer along with most of my oesophagus and stomach in October and then for good measure, a further 8 weeks of post-operative (adjuvant) chemotherapy. A long 9 months after diagnosis, I had an all-clear CT scan with No Evidence of Disease in January 2025! One of the many, many impacts of the initially challenging news and the months of treatment that followed, was that I had to pause my training and preparation for my first 50km Ultra Marathon (massive thanks to those who kindly donated and supported Pilgrims Hospices). With treatment now complete, I am recovering and will be completing my promised *50km Ultra Marathon in October 2025* - exactly, one year since the robotic surgery to remove my cancer! https://www.ultrachallenge.com/kent-downs-50-challenge/ Along the way, I hope to raise as much awareness of this cancer, its often-ignored symptoms and to support a few organizations who have helped me and many others. - Heartburn Cancer UK https://heartburncanceruk.org/ - Action Against Heartburn https://www.actionagainstheartburn.org.uk/ - Fountain Centre - supporting cancer patients and their loved ones. A donation of £20 can support a therapy session for a patient or carer https://www.fountaincentre.org/ I would greatly appreciate anything you can spare to support the above and their important, incredible work to raise awareness, improve early detection of cancer of the oesophagus and support those living with cancer. As I prepare for the big 50km in October and continue my recovery, I will be completing several other events throughout 2025 and I will keep updating you all my progress and plans! Thank you for your support. Next up..... *Oxford Town and Gown 10K* – May (one year since diagnosis) *Chilterns 3 Peaks 29.7k* - Sept Completed...... *Henley Trail 10k* - April (6 months since operation & 6 months to Ultra) My story as shared in the Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/s/sa-se/sam-brandon/

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