London Marathon runner inspired by eight month old cancer patient
Gabriella is running the TCS London Marathon 2023 to raise money for Neuroblastoma UK, after a friend’s son was diagnosed with neuroblastoma last March.
Gabriella first completed the 26.2 mile course in 2019. This year, she is raising money for Neuroblastoma UK after her friend’s eight month old son Ted was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma.
She has raised over £5,000 to help fund vital research into this rare and aggressive childhood cancer. Well done and thank you Gabriella!
Ted with his mum Yvette and dad Rob
Gabriella says, “Neuroblastoma UK is an incredible charity that has supported my dear friends Rob, Yvette and their young son Ted over the course of the past year, during their journey towards Ted's recovery.
I am completely in awe of their strength as a family. I was so inspired by Yvette's marathon achievement in 2022 and how much money she raised for Children with Cancer UK - so I couldn't help but follow suit! Neuroblastoma UK uses donations to fund amazing research specifically into neuroblastoma. Your donations will make such a difference to children like Ted. Here's to you, Ted!”
Ted’s story
“With Ted’s diagnosis, our world was turned completely upside down. To hear your child has cancer is terrifying and to this day feels surreal. ”
Ted was just eight months old when he was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, an aggressive cancer that develops in the nervous system.
Ted had a 15cm tumour in his tummy and it had spread to his bones, bone marrow, and elsewhere in his stomach. Since his diagnosis nearly a year ago, the family spent 134 nights in hospital.
Ted endured a gruelling treatment regime including numerous blood transfusions, scans, chemotherapy, surgery, high dose chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. He had severe side effects including veno-occlusive disease, ileus, mucositis and lost nearly 2kg in weight.
A new growth was picked up in a routine scan in January this year but thankfully, after yet more surgery, Ted is now recovering well. He started a new targetted therapy this month which he will be on for the foreseeable future.
His dad Rob said, “With Ted's diagnosis, our world was turned completely upside down. To hear your child has cancer is terrifying and to this day feels surreal. The treatment he has been given has been intense and brutal - no parent should have to subject their child to such an ordeal.. We do not know what the future holds for Ted. As best we can, we will live each day to the fullest, create as many special memories with him as we can, and hopefully, have a holiday. I think we’ve earned it.
“This charity is extremely close to my heart. High-risk neuroblastoma is an aggressive form of cancer, and the treatment is tough, relentless and works only 50% of the time. More money is needed to fund research to help develop kinder and more effective treatment. If you do choose to donate, no matter how much, Thank You.”
To support Gabriella, visit her fundraising page: https://neuroblastoma.enthuse.com/pf/gabriella-capisani-94a68