I’m running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for the BTF after undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer over the last six months. Through this fundraiser, I want to raise awareness that thyroid cancer can affect younger people, encourage earlier diagnosis through education and conversation, and support others navigating thyroid conditions.

What started as a small lump in my neck quickly became a series of diagnoses, hospital visits, and treatments that changed my life. Before my diagnosis, I didn’t fully realise how important the thyroid is - this small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck helps regulate things like energy, metabolism, hormones, mood, and overall body function.

Being diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year forced me to learn very quickly how much thyroid health impacts everyday life, and how little awareness there is around thyroid conditions, especially in younger people.

While this experience has changed me permanently, running Royal Parks Half Marathon for the British Thyroid foundation is a way of proving to myself I can still become strong again and educate others about thyroid health, encourage earlier diagnosis, and raise awareness that thyroid cancer can happen younger than people expect. If sharing my experience helps even one person seek answers sooner or feel less alone, it will be worth it.

Ieva Karvelyte