57-year-old primary school teacher takes on London Marathon for Weston Park Cancer Charity

This April, 57-year-old Jill from Whirlow will be taking on the London Marathon for our charity – just four years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

While going through treatment at Weston Park Cancer Centre, Jill accessed our complimentary therapies, including reflexology and massages.

She’s now aiming to raise as much as possible, so that other people diagnosed with cancer in the future can benefit from the same care and support.

Here, Jill tells us more about her London Marathon story.

Tell us about your relationship with running. Have you taken part in events before?

After I got my breast cancer diagnosis, I wanted to stay as active as possible. So, I kept up my running and tried to go to the gym when I could.

Running has been important throughout my recovery. I love going to weekly parkruns and I train regularly with local running groups. I’ve completed the Round Sheffield Run and the Sheffield Half Marathon. The London Marathon is going to be a challenge on another level! But I’m very excited to take it on.

What has inspired you to run the London Marathon for Weston Park Cancer Charity?

I was diagnosed with cancer in 2021 and went through treatment at Weston Park Cancer Centre. The care and support I received there was amazing.

At one stage, I had radiotherapy scheduled at the same time as my daughter’s last ever dance show. The team went out of their way to rearrange my appointment so that I didn’t have to miss it. They did everything they could to make sure I could keep living my life alongside treatment.

If you live in Sheffield, it’s likely that you, or someone you know, has been treated at Weston Park Cancer Centre. We’re lucky to have this fantastic hospital right on our doorstep, which I why I wanted to run in support of it.

Which Weston Park Cancer Charity services did you access during your treatment?

During treatment I had a number of reflexology sessions and massages, which were provided by the charity. At such a stressful time, it was great to have a space where I could relax and switch off for a while.

I also took part in one of the Look Good Feel Better sessions, which are delivered in partnership with the charity. The workshop was led by a beautician, who helped us with some of the physical changes that cancer treatment can cause.

How are you staying motivated during your training?

I regularly go running with the amazing Team Molly. This group honours the legacy of Molly – an incredible young lady who was just 27 when she died from a rare form of cancer called Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC).

While going through treatment, Molly wanted to increase awareness of ACC and raise as much money as she could to support cancer research.

I feel really privileged to be part of Team Molly, and I’ve met so many wonderful people through the group. Molly’s story makes me even more determined to raise as much as I can for Weston Park Cancer Charity.

What would you say to someone who’s considering supporting Weston Park Cancer Charity?

With one in two people set to be diagnosed with cancer, we will all be affected at some point in our lives. Whether that’s as a patient or through someone we love being diagnosed. Thank you to everyone who has donated to my marathon fundraiser so far. Every pound you give is helping to improve outcomes for people in our region.

To support Jill on her London Marathon journey, head to: london-marathon-2026.raiselysite.com/jill-ellis