Yahoo Lifestyle Woman marks a year cancer-free with half marathon
A Sheffield student will celebrate a year of being cancer-free by taking up a half-marathon challenge.
Ella Burns, from Ecclesall, was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing sarcoma in 2023, and underwent eight months of chemotherapy as well as the amputation of a finger.
The 21-year-old will run the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 6 April to raise money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust.
Ella admitted she was a "bit scared" to run the 13-mile route, but it would be "well worth it" to help others in her situation.
In 2022, Ella said she noticed "just a bit of a swollen finger" which was sore and hard to bend.
She said she did not think much of it for about a year, but decided to get medical advice in 2023.
Following an X-ray, she was referred for a biopsy at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, and on diagnosis went to the Weston Park Cancer Centre in Sheffield for treatment.
Ella told the BBC: "It was very difficult but the staff at Weston Park were amazing and all the doctors were just so good for getting me through it and doing all they could."
She said one of the hardest things was seeing her school friends go off to university, but the support of her friends and family "got me through it."
According to the Bone Cancer Research Trust, Ewing sarcoma can start in any bone or soft tissue of the body, and is most common in the pelvis, the thigh bone and the ribs.
Ella said, this time last year, she could "barely walk up the stairs" without needing a rest.
Now cancer-free, she said she was looking forward to being able to run with her parents Nick and Jenni by her side.
The first-year biological sciences student said it was "really special" to take up her running challenge to raise money and thank her supporters.
She said training for the half marathon had been an "amazing step in my recovery journey".
Mum Jenni and dad Nick will be running alongside Ella, while her big sister Meg will be cheering them on - and welcoming them across the finish line with cake.
Jenni said: "Ella was incredible going through all the treatment and we're really grateful to be in the position that we are in and we just really want to support her with raising funds now she's feeling much better."
"It was a really tough time, especially in those early stages, but you're just thinking what's going to happen next."
Ella set up a JustGiving fundraising page with an initial target of £2,000 - but has now raised more than £5,000.
She said she was "really excited about the big event".
According to its website, the London Landmarks Half Marathon has raised more than £50,000,000 for charity since it began in 2018.
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