Looking for a charity place?
Join #TeamYoungLives for the world’s most iconic running event and make a real difference to children and families facing cancer.
We ask our runners to raise a minimum of £2,500 in sponsorship, and we’ll be by your side every step of the way – supporting, motivating, and cheering you on throughout your running journey.
Mum Sarah is running the London Marathon for Young Lives vs Cancer after her daughter Maya was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia last year, aged four.
Just before starting school, during a holiday in Croatia, Maya experienced leg and stomach pain.
“We knew something wasn’t right,” says Sarah. “It was terrifying to hear the word leukaemia only hours after arriving at A+E, and it felt like our whole world was turned upside down.
“In the first few days of coming to terms with her condition and understanding the treatment she needed, we were signposted to Young Lives vs Cancer to support us on this long journey.
“Our dedicated social worker Pat has helped us to navigate issues around work, finances and other day-to-day challenges. This has included helping us to apply for a Blue Badge and Disability Living Allowance.
“Maya’s diagnosis was exactly 10 years to the day after my own diagnosis with Hodgkin Lymphoma, which felt quite surreal. I want to show her that there can be life after cancer, and that she can do anything she sets her mind on.”
“While Maya’s diagnosis was sinking in, I felt the urge to channel some positivity during this difficult time and so decided to apply to run the London Marathon and support the organisation to continue the amazing work it does.
“Although I like to run, I’ve never run a marathon before and was only really managing a weekly Parkrun when I could. Getting the place motivated me to get fitter, and I started increasing my running.
“Following the Coopah app gave me the structure I needed to build up my running and strength week by week, to be able to run 10km in December 2025, and hopefully get to the finish line of the marathon in April 2026!
“Running the marathon has always been a crazy dream of mine, so having the opportunity to do it for Young Lives vs Cancer is a dream come true. I also know that staying fit and healthy through all of this is key for me to support Maya.”
Training for a marathon takes dedication and perseverance, but with Team Young Lives, you’re supported at every step.
Being part of Team Young Lives is about shared determination, purpose, and achievement, and maximising the difference your run can make.
When you run for #TeamYoungLives, you’re making a real difference to young people navigating the impact of cancer
Today, 12 children and young people will hear the news that they have cancer. In an instant, their whole world can feel like it’s turned upside down.
Playtime is stopped. Independence is taken. Confidence is stolen. It can result in years of education missed; careers put on hold just as they’re starting. It’s spending days desperately trying to navigate complex systems just to get basic support. It’s missing out on experiences and not getting the chance to enjoy new relationships. It’s watching countless opportunities pass by as debt begins to pile up.
The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical.
That’s why we exist.
Young Lives vs Cancer is the only charity in the UK with specialist social workers who provide tailored support to children and young people with cancer, and their families.
We help them navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems, and prioritise wellbeing. We take the time to understand what matters most to them. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard, and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time.
When you run for #TeamYoungLives, you’re making a real difference to young people navigating the impact of cancer
Today, 12 children and young people will hear the news that they have cancer. In an instant, their whole world can feel like it’s turned upside down.
Playtime is stopped. Independence is taken. Confidence is stolen. It can result in years of education missed; careers put on hold just as they’re starting. It’s spending days desperately trying to navigate complex systems just to get basic support. It’s missing out on experiences and not getting the chance to enjoy new relationships. It’s watching countless opportunities pass by as debt begins to pile up.
The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical.
That’s why we exist.
Young Lives vs Cancer is the only charity in the UK with specialist social workers who provide tailored support to children and young people with cancer, and their families.
We help them navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems, and prioritise wellbeing. We take the time to understand what matters most to them. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard, and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time.