Courageous run for the ME Association after Gem gets her cancer 'all-clear'

Courage cuts lots of ways and one young woman who recently got her all-clear from cancer is now running to raise money for the ME Association, a charity close to her sister's heart.

Gem Hipwood, who beat cervical cancer after being diagnosed with it out of the blue in 2022, has joined the MEA’s 11-person team in the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 6th April.

She’s picked ME as the cause to support in honour of her sister, Chantelle Parry, who founded one of Britain's biggest local ME/CFS support groups eight years ago.

Thirty-five-year-old Gem, who had to have a hysterectomy following her diagnosis and then went on to lose seven stone in weight through exercise and diet, told Gloucestershire Live:

“In the summer of 2022, I went for a standard cervical screening (smear) and my results came back abnormal. After a few more tests I was told I had stage two cervical cancer and would need a full hysterectomy in hope to remove it all.

“This was tough to comprehend at the age of 32 when I had no children, but my thoughts were if it would save my life then it was an easy decision to make. I had my hysterectomy at the end of November and just before Christmas I got my results back to say they had managed to remove all the cancerous parts.

“I know how lucky I am to have got through my cancer and be able-bodied to do the things I want to do. I am grateful every day for having that so if I can put that to good use and help others then that's an even bigger reward.

“My sister is so brave and does so much to support others with M.E, and I am extremely proud of her. Every step of the half marathon will be tough, as running is not a natural thing for me but it's tougher for people living their lives with ME and I'm running this for them.

Photos show two faces of Gem, class ‘Sister Act' Chantelle Parry and Gem Hipwood and the £600 ‘matched funding' certificate Gem obtained from her employer – PIB Insurance – for her Landmarks Half Marathon fundraising for the ME Association.

“Physically I am doing very well and all my check-ups have been good news. Training is tough but I enjoy the challenge and it's great to have something to aim for. I've met some incredible people during my fitness journey and the support you get from other runners is second to none! I'd love to attempt to do a Hyrox Event one day in the future, that is another goal of mine.”

Her older sister, Chantelle (38), founder of the Gloucestershire ME and CFS Friendship Group, told the news website:

“I was diagnosed with ME/CFS in October 2017. This was after having glandular fever. Previous to this I was very active, I was a Zumba fitness instructor and lived life to the full. I'd even done three skydives and had hoped to do more.

“Unfortunately having ME and CFS drastically changed my life as I am unable to work and cannot take part in many of my previous daily activities. I now use mobility aids and have had to move into a ground floor flat as I struggle with stairs.

“Symptoms include extreme fatigue, pain, cognitive problems, weakness as well as many more. I massively rely on close family including my mum, sister and my almost 15-year-old who is a registered young carer.

“Gem has previously been a volunteer at the ME and CFS Friendship group events too so has seen the impact this condition has not only on myself but on so many others too.”

Chantelle said she didn’t remember her sister “ever running a step in her life before cancer” but now she has been training daily for the London Landmarks Half Marathon. “She is truly inspirational”, she added.

At the last count, only last week, the Gloucestershire ME and CFS Friendship Group had 767 members. Chantelle set it up in December 2017 with just 20 members

It holds monthly coffee morning across the county including in Gloucester, Dursley, Cheltenham, Stroud and the Forest of Dean and usually holds a big annual event in Quedgeley Community Centre during ME Awareness Week in May.

If you like to support Gem’s fundraiser, please visit: