1st of May 2016: Thanks for all your wonderful support. My health has been mixed. Your constant support, inspiring stories, dedication to the fund and comments keep me going. I, my fiancée and my family will never give up the fight against my cancer and everyone else's. 

Please give generously and wear sunscreen copiously! 

BeatCancerWithMark 

15/05/2015: Update: I left hospital a week after that message and I'm now established on a treatment called dabrafenib, which has shrunk the tumours by around a 1/3. I'm honoured that so many people have donated to this cause. It will continue until I'm no longer able, because we really have to beat cancer sooner. The fact that there is some treatment available is testament to how far cancer research has come. Please check out my blog: www.Wrestlingmelanoma.wordpress.com

Thank You,

Mark Sims

Hi everyone, 

I'm Mark Sims and I'm almost 27. I thought it would be nice to try and raise some money whilst I'm cooped up in a hospital bed. 

My diagnosis is a shock and my story may show you this can happen to just about anyone. The week started well waking up on Monday morning, a bit stiff from a 10 mile run, that I did the day before, I was training for a half marathon. On Tuesday whilst celebrating pancake day with copious amounts of pancakes I noticed I had 3/10 abdominal pain on my right side. By the morning, despite co-codamol, I was barely able  to move due to the pain. Being a doctor I refused to misuse an ambulance or A&E so stumbled to my GP who took one look at me; a quick touch of my abdomen and referred me to Kingston hospital for further investigation for suspected acute cholecystitis. 

An ultrasound was arranged for me, which showed some abnormalities in my gallbladder and liver; a CT was instantly arranged for me. In the evening the doctor who clerked me in arrived with a clinical nurse specialist in melanoma. One look at her badge made my heart drop. I knew it was likely the cancer I had when I was 15 had come back! The cause of the pain is a moderate  size tumour in my liver stretching the capsule. Further to this  there are tumours in my lung and spleen.

I'm currently in the Royal Marsden hospital awaiting a liver biopsy to establish which targeted melanoma therapies I can have, fingers crossed.

Please give generously.

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