Two days after her 40th birthday, Ali Howell, from Horstead, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer and secondary cancer of the liver. She was given just 18 months to live.
She received the same diagnosis as Dame Deborah James – the podcaster and bowel cancer campaigner whose Bowelbabe Fund, set up to continue her legacy after she passed away in May last year, has so far raised over £11 million for Cancer Research UK.
Ali, a mother of two children – Oli, aged 13, and Esmae, eight - was diagnosed with the cancer in June 2021.
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She was undergoing weekly chemotherapy until scans showed that the cancer in her liver had grown, meaning her existing chemotherapy regime was no longer working.
Ali is now hoping the results of a recent biopsy will make her eligible for a new drug as part of a clinical trial in Cambridge.
"I'm trying to juggle the day-to-day physical effects of the treatment and the emotional side of it with keeping life normal for my kids," she said.
However, Ali started ‘Reasons to be Thankful’ - a blog documenting her journey and experiences, which she hopes can help others going through tough times.
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"Even when times are tough, there are things to be thankful for," she said.
"It's all about finding moments of light and joy in life."
Ali's friend Sarah Roberts said she is an "inspiration" who "always stays positive and embraces life".
“It’s been really hard for everyone,” Sarah said.
"She’s such a wonderful person - she’s so kind, caring fun and genuinely lovely. It's heartbreaking to watch your friend and her family go through this at such a young age - it's just unthinkable."
Now, Ali's daughter Esmae will be joined by her Coltishall School classmates to run a muddy 5k at the Norfolk Showground - raising money for the Bowelbabe Fund.
The run will take place this Saturday (May 13) at 10am.
To donate, visit the Ali's Angels Cancer Research UK fundraising page.
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