Ali’s bravery inspires family on charity run
THE family of a young woman diagnosed with a rare cancer pushed themselves through the pain barrier to raise charity money.
Ali Davies, 25, from Gawsworth, was told she had Ewing Sarcoma - a form of bone cancer - at the beginning of the year.
She has since been treated with chemo and radiotherapy and will undergo an operation in September in which bone will be taken from her leg and placed into her arm along with bone from a donor.
But Ali has refused to let the ordeal curtail her lust for life, and sold her car to buy a van that she will use to go travelling when able.
And inspired by her attitude, members of her family completed the London Half Marathon earlier this month to raise money for cancer related charities.
Taking part were mum Kim Davies, 51, brother Jack Davies, 28, and Ali’s friend James Dunphy, 29.
Kim said: “Ali has always been really positive, always smiling and never complaining. She has coped amazingly well, probably better than all of us.
“At the beginning I was angry and I asked her if she was, she said, ‘no I’m just unlucky’. She has not looked for a reason - she has just dealt with it.”
All three completed the course, with James clocking two and a half hours, Jack two hours 50 minutes and Kim around three hours.
Ali, who loves travel and takes part in a lot of charity work herself, was in Mexico when she first noticed something was wrong.
She had pain in her neck and shoulder, which in time spread to her arm. But it was only 18 months later that she was diagnosed, in January 2021.
The money raised by Kim, Jack and James will be split between the Teenage Cancer Trust, CLIC Sargent and Maggie’s Centre.
Kim said: “I’m a bit of a runner but nothing like half a marathon. I started training a few months after Ali’s diagnosis and that’s what has kept me going and kept me sane, knowing I’ve had to train twice a week.”
Anyone wishing to donate can visit gofundme.com and search ‘S-MILES for MAGGIE’S’.
According to the NHS website Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that affects bones or the tissue around bones.
It is mainly seen in children and young people, but it is also seen in adults as well.
Symptoms include bone pain, a tender lump or swelling, a persistent high temperature, feeling tired and unintentional weight loss.