Sisters raise over £10,000 for OcuMel UK

Two sisters are preparing to run the Hackney Half Marathon in London on 20 May to raise money for OcuMel UK after their father was diagnosed with eye cancer.

Alice and Louisa Fleming will run the half marathon with seven friends, who have raised over £10,000 for the charity so far.

Their father, Andrew Fleming, was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in April 2017 following an eye examination. He was subsequently referred to a specialist hospital in Liverpool to have his right eye removed. 

OcuMel UK has supported the family since Mr Fleming was diagnosed, providing information about eye cancer as well as emotional support.

Ms Fleming explained that she “cannot thank them enough,” adding: “The charity relies on donations to survive and we want to help them as much as we can so they can continue to support people with this rare form of cancer.”

Speaking about his experience, Mr Fleming, said: “I only went for the eye test as I was seeing flashing lights. I am so glad I went to the opticians as the cancer would not have been detected and I wouldn’t have received the treatment I needed.”

National director at OcuMel UK, Jo Gumbs, explained that at a minimum, people diagnosed with ocular melanoma should receive support and accurate information.

“We need to keep pushing to bring the care these patients receive, in line with the care people with more common cancers experience,” she shared.