Six-year-old Amelie Callanan was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare type of cancer in the bone. She now lives in Redhill, Surrey with her parents and younger sister.

“We were told it was a tumour that was growing in the bone, which could have meant amputating her leg,” says her mum, Emma. “The cancer had also spread to both of her lungs. It was the worst news any parent could be given.”

Amelie was treated at London’s University College Hospital (UCLH) and took part in a clinical trial to improve the treatment outcome. She had 14 rounds of chemotherapy over the next six months – but just before Christmas, doctors said they had no choice but to amputate her left leg above the knee. She had the operation four days after her sixth birthday.

“Amelie’s amazing,” says Emma. “Two weeks after her amputation, with help she was doing short distances on her scooter. Soon she was back swimming and rushing about.”

Amelie had further chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After using a prosthetic leg at first, she now has a bright pink blade. There’s no longer any sign of cancer in her lungs.

“When Amelie was first diagnosed it felt isolating, as we didn’t know much about sarcoma apart from seeing other children on the hospital ward,” says Emma. “It can be a lonely cancer.

“My biggest fear when we knew she’d lose her leg was that we’d also lose the Amelie we knew. But that’s not been the case. She’s bounced back and everyone has accepted who she is.”

Sarcoma UK was there for Amelie and her family. We are a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma cancer and campaigns for better treatments. We are the only cancer charity in the UK that focuses on all types of sarcoma. Running with Team Sarcoma means more positive outcomes for children like Amelie.

Everyone who runs with us receives personal support, fundraising materials and loads of enthusiastic advice throughout their training and on the day itself. We’re with you every step of the way.

Just ask James Boulton, who previously ran the London Marathon with Team Sarcoma.

“I just wanted to say a great big thank you to all the team for such fantastic support for the marathon – both in the build-up to the event and on the day itself. It was an absolute pleasure to represent Sarcoma UK, so much so that I felt the need to give you all a round of applause at mile 25! I have run the event before for another charity and can confirm that the whole support network and experience provided by Sarcoma UK eclipsed that of my previous marathon. And to top it all off, it felt so much more personal that your team seemed to all know who we were. Thank you so much.”

To find out how to fundraise for Sarcoma UK at the 2022 TCS London Marathon, click here.