“We thought we had more time”: The Islanders running for the people cancer took – and the ones still fighting

Cancer has touched thousands of Jersey families, often in very different ways… Ahead of this weekend’s Race for Life, runners opened up to Express about the deeply personal reasons they’ll be pulling on their trainers, and the loved ones they’ll be carrying with them every step of the way.

The annual Cancer Research UK event, which starts from Les Jardins de la Mer at 11am on Sunday 21 June, offers participants the choice of a 3k, 5k or 10k route and welcomes people of all ages and abilities.

Here are just some of the stories of those taking part…

“Every step will be for her”

An Islander who describes herself as definitely “not a runner” said she will be taking on the Race for Life 10k this weekend in memory of her late grandmother.

Lauren Charmers-Hunt signed up in honour of her grandmother, who died just two months after being diagnosed with cancer in May 2025.

“When Nan was diagnosed, we thought we had more time, more conversations, more laughs and more memories,” she said.

“Instead, we had just two short months; a lifetime of memories reduced to a countdown none of us was ready for.”

Lauren said the diagnosis came completely out of the blue and turned her family’s world upside down.

“We didn’t have time to prepare and she didn’t get the time we all wish she’d had,” she said.

“It has left a space in our family that nothing will ever quite fill. Life honestly hasn’t felt the same since.”

Lauren said her family’s experience is one shared by thousands every year.

“Sadly, our story isn’t unique – cancer doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed. It affects the children, grandchildren, partners, wives, husbands, friends and loved ones who watch helplessly and wish for more time.”

Although she admits running is far from her strong suit, Lauren said taking on the challenge felt like “the right kind of hard”.

She explained: “I’m not a runner, I get out of breath going up the stairs and the only running I normally do is after my kids.”

“So this 10k situation is going to be interesting.

“But every step, every huff and every ‘why did I sign up for this?’ will be for her, and for everyone who’s been affected by cancer and kept going anyway.”

“I can’t change what happened to our family, but maybe together we can help fund research that gives another family more time than we got,” Lauren added.

You can donate to Lauren’s fundraiser here.

“I’ve been given something incredibly precious: time”

Sammy Keen – a mother who was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer at the age of 29 – will be taking on the Race for Life this weekend alongside her children, after more than three years of living with the disease.

Sammy was diagnosed when her children, Honey and Kody, were just five and seven years old.

“As a family, we’ve been navigating life with cancer for the last three-and-a-half years. I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer at 29 years old, when my children were only five and seven.”

Now aged eight and 10, Sammy said her children have been a constant source of strength.

“Throughout everything, they have been resilient, brave and utterly incredible.

“They’ve supported me, looked after me, challenged me in ways I never thought possible, and reminded me every day why I keep putting one foot in front of the other.

“They are my whole heart and my reason for continuing to hope, dream and do everything in my power to be here.”

Since her diagnosis, Sammy has undergone two major operations, more than 35 rounds of chemotherapy, and lives with a permanent stoma.

“None of it has been easy, but thanks to ongoing research and advances in treatment, I’ve been given something incredibly precious: time.”

“The treatments, research and advancements available today are helping people live longer and better lives, giving families facing cancer more precious time together and hope for a future that can often feel uncertain.”

The family have been preparing for the 5k together, although Sammy said recent chemotherapy has made training more challenging.

“We’re currently training for a 5k together. Although if I’m honest, training has looked a little different recently!

“Earlier this year I completed a half marathon, but I’m now back on chemotherapy and much of the fitness I spent months building has disappeared in just a few short weeks. Still, we’re determined.”

On race day, she said the family would tackle the course together, “running, walking, laughing and probably complaining our way around that 5k together.”

“For our family, for everyone affected by cancer, for those we’ve lost and for those still living.”

You can donate to Sammy’s fundraiser here.

“This run is for everyone who has fought this awful disease”

Samantha Walton said she will be taking part in Race for Life in memory of her grandmother and in support of her younger sister, who is currently battling a brain tumour.

Samantha explained that he grandmother passed away following a battle with cancer.

She said: “She was the heart of my family, loving, strong, and endlessly caring.

“I will carry her with me every single step of this journey.”

Samantha is also running for her sister, Sophie, whose strength throughout her illness has left a lasting impression.

“Her and bravery amazes me every single day.”

“Watching someone so young face something so terrifying with so much courage has completely changed my outlook on life.

“Even through the hardest days, she continues to smile, stay positive, and fight with everything she has.”

Samantha said she is particularly proud that her sister has used her own experience to help others.

“What makes her even more incredible is that she isn’t only fighting for herself, she is using her voice to help others too.

“She has put herself out there to raise awareness, share her journey, and bring attention to the reality of brain tumours and cancer in the hope that it helps even one other person feel less alone.”

Samantha added that the run is also dedicated to the many friends, family members and colleagues whose lives have been touched by cancer.

“This run is for everyone who has fought this awful disease, everyone still fighting, and everyone who has lost someone they love because of cancer.

“It’s for the families who stand beside them through the darkest days, and for the hope that one day fewer people will have to experience this heartbreak.”

“Together we fight, together we remember and together, we keep going.”

You can donate to Samantha’s fundraiser here.

“I’m looking forward to this special event in honour of two amazing women who mean so much to me”

Tom Smith will be taking part in Race for Life in honour of his partner, Antonia, and in memory of his late grandmother, Michelle, both of whom he describes as “inspirational figures”.

Tom said he was proud of their “resilience and bravery” in the face of cancer.

His grandmother died from lung cancer almost 15 years ago, when he was just 16 years old.

He said: “My nan was an incredible woman, and her strength has stayed with me ever since.

“Even all these years later, I carry her memory with me.”

Tom is also running in support of his partner, Antonia, who was diagnosed with stage 2 thyroid cancer in March 2023 at the age of 24.

She underwent two major surgeries and a round of radiotherapy before receiving the all clear in January 2025.

Tom said: “Antonia’s courage throughout her treatment has been nothing short of inspiring.

“Watching her face everything with such determination and positivity has made me incredibly proud.”

“She’s now almost two and a half years into remission, but she has been left with life-changing complications and requires treatment every four weeks for the rest of her life.

“Despite everything she has been through, she continues to show incredible strength and resilience every day.”

Tom added that he and Antonia will be taking part in Race for Life together for the second year running.

“I’m looking forward to this special event in honour of two amazing women who mean so much to me.

You can donate to Tom’s fundraiser here.