Kelly Matthews

Together we walk!

At 29, I heard the words no one ever expects to hear: breast cancer. Life, as I knew it, paused in that moment. Fear crept in, uncertainty took over, and all I could think about was my future - especially my girls. Would I get to watch them grow up? Be there for the milestones, the ordinary days, the laughter?

Thankfully, I wasn’t facing it alone. The care and support I received from The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trustchanged everything. From the expertise of the medical teams to the compassion shown in the smallest moments, they gave me not just treatment, but hope. Because of them, I got through it. Because of them, I’m still here, watching my daughters grow, living the life I once feared might be taken away.

Cancer, however, hasn’t just touched my life once. My mum also faced breast cancer and received her treatment at The Royal Marsden. Like me, she came through it.

But our story, like so many others, carries loss too. I’ve lost several family members to cancer, including my brother. That kind of grief never really leaves you. It shapes you, stays with you, and quietly fuels a determination to do something that might help others avoid that same pain.

That’s why events like the Marsden March matter so much.

It’s more than just a walk. It’s a show of strength, of remembrance, of gratitude. Every step taken is for someone - a survivor, a loved one, a memory, or a future we’re still fighting for. It’s about giving back to the place that gave so much to me and my family, and helping ensure that others continue to receive the same life-saving care.

This year, I’ll be walking with all of that in my heart: gratitude for the life I get to live,

If you can support in any way, whether that’s donating, walking, or simply sharing the message, it truly makes a difference. Because behind every step, every pound raised, and every moment of support, there’s hope.