Lewis Runs Brighton

I decided to challenge myself in 2023, improve my fitness and try to make a small difference. I always need a goal to keep going and that's how I chose to run the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 2nd April 2023.

I wanted to support a charity at the same time. You may know that my younger sister, Jessi, very sadly died in the summer of 2021. As a ten year old child she had a lump removed from her leg, subsequently diagnosed as melanoma (skin cancer). Little did we know that melanoma can "lurk" in your body and 30 years later it would raise its ugly head again. The melanoma metastasised (spread) beyond the original skin site in her leg, unseen, to her lungs, spine and brain. Eventually after months of treatment and bravery she lost her fight against cancer.

This is why I chose Skcin https://www.skcin.org/ for my charity as Skin Cancer is the UK’s most common and fastest rising cancer - I wanted to help them educate children and their parents to look after themselves and prevent other families having to go through the heartache we did.

Apparently, up to 90% of skin cancers are preventable by adopting simple sun safe strategies. Skin cancer is also the only cancer we can physically see developing in its early stages and if detected, diagnosed and treated early enough, almost all cases are curable.

Skcin's primary objectives are to:

• - Raise awareness of skin cancer through education, promoting prevention and early detection.
• - To engage higher risk target groups via bespoke educational initiatives.
• - To ensure the continued development, longevity and participation in our national accreditation schemes.
• - To campaign for change, make a difference and save lives.

I am running the marathon for me but if you could please help Skcin to educate others. Thank you.