Cancer Has Taught Me To Be Kinder To Myself
By Phoebe
Apr 16, 2026
5k Your Way and parkrun have given me so much: now it’s my turn to give back.
I was diagnosed with leukemia in 2017 when I was 18. Nearly three years of treatment followed and then came covid and lockdown so life wasn’t normal for years. But the story I want to share isn’t really that, it’s what happened as a result of it all…
My treatment involved steroids that cut off my blood circulation and affected my bones; the dead bone in my legs affects my knees which in turn impacts my mobility. I’m in constant pain and it’s this pain that causes my disability. I guess you could call it a “hidden disability” – I’m not in a wheelchair and I am able to walk a little but it’s incredibly difficult. When I am able to walk the impact on me mentally is huge so I try to push through and do what I can because I know I’ll feel so much better afterwards.
My partner runs at Dover parkrun and I’ve happily volunteered there for a while. I walk a bit of the route when I can. The course is flat and accessible which is great. Everyone there is so welcoming and understands my situation. In fact, we’ve had an amputee there and someone in a wheelchair and it’s lovely to be a part of something so inclusive.
When I heard about MOVE Against Cancer’s 5k Your Way initiative I jumped at the chance of 
helping to set up a group at Dover parkrun and the parkrun team has been so supportive of us.
We launched last August and I’m thrilled to be involved as an ambassador. It’s about me giving something back. I love the fact that 5k Your Way is accessible and inclusive. I love the fact that you can do as much or as little as you wish. I’m always keen to stress that you can turn up and do 1k if that’s what works for you – very often that’s all I can manage. One month someone who was on active treatment for cancer came along and did 1k which was brilliant. The following month someone came along just for the coffee and chat.
We’re planning a huge 5k Your Way event for World Cancer Day in February – exciting things are happening and I love being involved in getting the message out there.
When I was going through treatment I’d have loved a group like this – the social space would have made all the difference to me. I really want to encourage other youngsters with cancer to come along, either to our group in Dover or to one of the other 125 5k Your Way groups across the country. Come to get active or come for the camaraderie. It’s such a welcoming family to be a part of!
