Surbiton resident Nadia Hearn will be taking on the London Landmarks half marathon on Sunday, 6 April to support cancer patients and those who have lost loved ones to the disease.

Marking 10 years since her own thyroid cancer diagnosis, she is running to raise vital funds for The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR) – the world-leading research institute and charity.

Accountant Nadia, 28, is running her third London Landmarks for the ICR, having completed the virtual half marathon in 2020 and the actual course in 2021. It is a course she loves.

She said: "The race always has good energy, but it's not too overwhelming. I always run in my ICR T-shirt as it's a cause close to my heart."

This will be Nadia's third London Landmarks half marathon (Credit: Nadia Hearn)

The importance of cancer research is not lost on Nadia who was diagnosed with stage 1 follicular thyroid cancer when she was 18.

At the time, she was living in South Africa and was studying for the equivalent of her A-levels when she felt a small nodule near her thyroid.

Initially, she thought it might be a swollen gland, but after a few days it had not gone away, so she went to see the doctor.

After initially being wrongly diagnosed with a throat infection, she eventually had a series of tests including ultrasound scans and a biopsy.

These were inconclusive and the lump was still growing, so it was decided she should have surgery to remove it. Shortly afterwards she was told she had cancer.

Speaking about her diagnosis, Nadia said: "That's not something you want to hear at 18., but I knew I couldn't change it, so my reaction was just to deal with it and get on with whatever needed to be done to treat it.

"I remember my family being concerned – they were worried about my reaction, fearing that I was not processing the seriousness of what was happening.

"But I was pragmatic and just wanted to know what was going to be done about it… I remember asking my consultant if I was the youngest patient he had seen.

"And when he told me he was treating a four-year-old with stage 3 or 4 cancer, I realised that I was lucky. I felt that I actually had it easy."

After surgery, Nadia had to have radiotherapy, and she will need to be on medication for the rest of her life.

A few years ago, following regular monitoring and consistently clear scan results, she was discharged by endocrinology

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28-year-old Nadia was diagnosed with stage 1 follicular thyroid cancer when she was 18 (Credit: Nadia Hearn)

Having been a keen runner since she was 15, she is now giving herself a good reason to pound the streets again.

Speaking about why fundraising for the ICR is so important to her, Nadia said: "Knowing and understanding the science behind cancer is really important to me.

"Cancer is constantly changing and adapting, and there are so many different types. Without research, there is no way it could be treated. If people had not understood my type of cancer, they might not have been able to treat me as effectively.

"Research into cancer is the only way we will ever have a complete cure for the disease and our only hope if we are to stop losing so many people to it."

So far Nadia has raised £1,700 for the ICR and this year, she has set herself the target of raising a further £500 by running the London Landmarks.

Rachael Potter, Sports and Challenge Events Officer at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: "We're really grateful to have the support of Nadia, and all of the #teamICR runners at this year's London Landmarks half marathon.

"Getting out there and training for a half marathon, while also attempting to hit a fundraising target, is no easy feat, and we've been so impressed by the dedication and commitment of our supporters.

"We hope Nadia and all our runners will be spurred on by the knowledge that they're helping to make a difference for people affected by cancer.

"Every pound raised means that our research can keep moving forward, and every step taken towards that finish line brings our researchers one step closer to defeating cancer."

 To support Nadia, you can donate to her fundraising page.

 The ICR, London is one of the world's most influential cancer research organisations. 

Scientists and clinicians at the ICR work every day to make a real impact on cancer patients' lives.

Through its unique partnership with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and 'bench-to-bedside' approach, the ICR is able to create and deliver results in a way that other institutions cannot.

Together the two organisations are rated in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment globally. 

The ICR has an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years.

It provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease.

Today it is a world leader at identifying cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer treatment. 

 The ICR is a charity and relies on support from partner organisations, funders and the general public.

As a member institution of the University of London, it is one of the UK's leading higher education institutions, placing first for biological sciences and second overall in the definitive 'REF2021' rankings of UK university research quality, impact and environment, and provides postgraduate higher education of international distinction. 

The ICR's mission is to make the discoveries that defeat cancer.