Running Loch Ness Marathon in memory of my Dad - Martyn Duffy

I'm running the Loch Ness Marathon to raise money for Cancer Research UK

My Story

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for Cancer Research UK. I will be running the Loch Ness Marathon on Sunday 1st October in memory of my Dad, Martyn, who passed away earlier this year to Cancer. After a brave and courageous battle, always refusing to accept defeat, Dad died on Sunday 12th March. Dad lived life to the full, always making the most of every moment and even in his final days with great pain he never lost his humour or smile, particularly when his grandchildren came visiting! In 2022 when Dad was having treatment, he came to cheer me on at the Manchester marathon. Seeing him was all the inspiration I needed to keep pushing, knowing that any discomfort I was feeling paled in comparison to what he was enduring, although you would never know it. So when this marathon gets tough, and it will, (I've managed very little training because, well.... three kids), I will do as he always did - smile and get through it, with that Duffy grit and determination that he instilled in me. Why Loch Ness Marathon? Good question. I certainly could have chosen somewhere closer, drier and warmer. However, Dad's birthday is on the 2nd October and when I saw this was the day before I knew this was the one. This is the type of race he'd have loved to watch me run with a stunning backdrop to boot! I hope to do Dad proud with a good time, celebrate him as a family, and raise a glass of Scotland's finest whiskey in the evening. I'll also being running this race in memory of my Dad's sister Ann, and brother Paul, who all very sadly passed away within 12 months of one another also through Cancer. This has obviously left a big void in our family but we take some comfort that they are now at peace together. As you can see, unfortunately, Cancer is far too common in all our lives, with 1 in 2 people developing some form of Cancer in their lifetime. However, progress is being made where today 2 in 4 people diagnosed with cancer will survive the disease. Your support with funding can help ensure Cancer Research's fantastic work continues and accelerate progress to their target where 3 out of 4 people will survive Cancer by 2034. We have opened this donation fund for Cancer Research UK - with all proceedings specifically going towards the Oesophageal Cancer research division. Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses. Dads primary diagnosis was oesophageal cancer. Around 9,300 people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK each year. It’s the 14th most common cancer in adults, but unfortunately it's classed as a less survivable cancer due to most people showing few impactful symptoms of the cancer until it has become significant or spread. Understanding more about this disease can help people identify early warning signs both in themselves and in their loved ones. To help raise awareness here is a link to the Cancer Research UK page about oesophageal cancer which you may be interested to read. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/oesophageal-cancer Thank you for any donation you are able to make today to help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Thank you for your kind support. Patrick xxx N/B If you are a UK taxpayer the value of your donation can increase by 25% under the Gift Aid scheme – at no additional cost to you. Please tick the Gift Aid box when you donate.