George's Giving Page

I am running the Bath Half Marathon in March 2019 in memory of my late Grandfather and Great Uncle, who were two incredibly inspiring men. Cancer is happening right now, which is why I’m raising money right now for Cancer Research UK. There’s no time to lose! All donations to my page will be incredibly appreciated and will help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Please read my story below. On 1st May 2017 my Grandfather, Clement Ryan, unfortunately passed away at the age of 82 just six weeks after diagnosis of lung cancer. Leading up to diagnosis, he began to struggle with breathing but was initially put down to his age. 12 tumours were discovered in his lungs, one of which intruded his airways which was the cause of his breathing difficulty. My Grandfather had been living with dementia for over a year leading up to diagnosis of lung cancer, which was a great shock in itself when this news was first brought to us. It was only more shocking and upsetting for him and the family when he received diagnosis of a second disease. My grandfather was taken to hospital at the end of April as his condition began to deteriorate, meanwhile my father was working overseas in Baku, Azerbaijan. On April 30th, we received a phone call explaining the severity of my grandfather’s condition, and that he was beginning to take a turn for the worse. We phoned my father, who was able to catch a flight from Baku just hours later and reached Heathrow later that evening. My mother and I drove from Somerset to Heathrow to collect my father in the evening of the 30th, then driving straight to Nottingham City Hospital. We arrived at midnight and sat beside my grandfather throughout the night, where he sadly passed at 06:55 the following day, but we can only be thankful that he kept fighting until we arrived to spend his last few hours with him. My great uncle, and brother of my Grandfather, Michael Ryan, had been living with prostate cancer for 10 years but, in May 2018, had a tumour discovered in his brain. This man, who I am proudly a great nephew of, offered immense support to my family during difficult times we have faced during the past few years, which I cannot be grateful enough for. Sadly, since registering to run the Bath Half, my great uncle was involved in a road accident on 28th May where he sadly lost his life. I will therefore be running in memory of them both, whom I hope would be proud of me. Donating through this page is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with Cancer Research UK. My Grandfather and Great Uncle will forever remain in our thoughts. Thank you for reading!