Shuhada Khatun

60 Miles of Memories, Hope & Love

This November, I’m taking on the 60 Miles in November challenge for Young Lives vs Cancer. But for me, this challenge means so much more than simply completing 60 miles.

I’m doing it in memory of my dad, who sadly passed away from bowel cancer, and for my brother, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and is thankfully now in remission and doing well.

And because I couldn’t possibly do 60 miles without dragging my brother along with me, I’ve roped him into taking part too! After everything he’s been through, I think 60 miles with his sister should be easy… although I’m sure he might disagree! ❤️

Cancer has had a huge impact on me and my family. It’s one of those things you never truly believe will happen to the people you love until suddenly it becomes part of your family’s story.

Losing my dad to bowel cancer is something that will always stay with us. Grief doesn’t simply disappear. You learn to live alongside it, but there will always be moments when you wish you could have one more conversation, hear his voice again, or have him there for those ordinary family moments that you never realised would mean so much.

Then our family was faced with cancer again when my brother was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. Watching my brother go through cancer after already losing our dad was incredibly difficult for all of us. Thankfully, he is now in remission and doing well, something we are incredibly grateful for and will never take for granted.

Our experiences have shown me just how much cancer can happen to anyone and how it affects so much more than the person who receives the diagnosis. It impacts brothers, sisters, parents, partners, children, friends and everyone who loves that person.

There’s the worry, the hospital appointments, the waiting for results, the uncertainty and the emotions that come with it all. As a family, you go through those moments together.

But amongst the difficult times, it also makes you realise how precious life is. You appreciate the people you love, the memories you make together and even the ordinary days that can so easily be taken for granted.

That’s why I wanted to turn something that has affected our family so deeply into something positive.

Throughout November, my brother and I will be completing 60 miles to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer, helping support children and young people with cancer and their families when they need it most.

Every mile will have a meaning behind it.

For Dad and all the memories we will always carry with us.
For my brother and how far he has come.
For our family and everything we have faced together.
For those we have lost.
For those who are in remission.
And for everyone who is still going through their own cancer journey.

I also hope that by sharing our story, we can help raise awareness. Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and none of us ever think it will be our family until it is. Please listen to your body, don’t ignore changes or symptoms that concern you, and speak to a healthcare professional if something doesn’t feel right.

So this November it’s 60 miles, a brother and sister, one challenge and a very personal reason behind every step.

There will undoubtedly be aching legs, plenty of complaining and probably several moments when my brother wonders why he ever agreed to let his sister drag him into this!

But we’ll be doing it together, with Dad in our thoughts every step of the way. ❤️

If you can donate, no matter how big or small, it would mean the world to us. If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing our story and helping us raise awareness would mean just as much.

Here’s to remembering those we’ve lost, celebrating how far others have come, supporting those still facing cancer and hopefully making a difference along the way.

60 miles in November.
For Dad.
For my brother.
For our family.
For everyone affected by cancer. ❤️