Running for Resilience: NTU student tackles the Robin Hood Half Marathon to honour family’s cancer journey

Having witnessed the impact of cancer on close friends and immediate family, Eva-Lily felt compelled to step up and make a difference. Her father’s battle with stage 3 skin cancer, which led to brain lesions, was a life-altering experience. Thanks to the dedication of NHS staff and the unwavering strength of her mother, he made a remarkable recovery.

“My mum deserves just as much recognition,” Eva-Lily shares. “She managed her own businesses, raised four children, and was one of the 555 who took The Post Office to court during the Horizon Scandal—all while caring for my dad. Her behind-the-scenes efforts were vital to his recovery.”

Eva-Lily’s decision to run for JvGCRC is rooted in a desire to support life-saving research and raise awareness of the emotional and physical toll cancer takes—not just on patients, but on families behind closed doors.

Although long-distance running is a new challenge for her, Eva-Lily is embracing it with determination. She’s currently working through a personalised training plan with Runna, running three times a week with a mix of progressive long runs, interval training, and easy runs.

To prepare for the half marathon, Eva-Lily also ran the 5K Derby Running Festival in August—her first official race.

When it comes to fundraising, she encourages others to lean into their passion: “Talk to your friends and family, share your story, and keep your page updated. I use Strava to automatically upload my runs to my fundraising page, so everyone can follow my journey. Most importantly—enjoy it!”

Eva-Lily’s story is one of resilience, determination, and hope. Through her efforts, she’s not only raising vital funds for cancer research but also shining a light on the strength of families facing unimaginable challenges.

If you would like to support Eva-Lily’s commitment to combatting the impact of cancer, please visit her fundraising page and donate to this worthy cause.