A retired PE teacher from Sandhurst, whose daughter was diagnosed with seven incurable tumors, is preparing to take part in this year’s London Marathon.  

Thalia Milton, 72, was inspired to support the charity Sarcoma UK after completing the virtual marathon in Windsor Great Park in 2021.

Her daughter – Natasha McGlinchey, 40, was diagnosed with metastatic myxoid liposarcoma, which by then had spread to other parts of her body 16 months after first spotting a lump on the back of her knee.

Her support for the charity aims to help with early diagnosis and further the research into current treatment.

Thalia, who is also a retired PE teacher and headteacher, is speed walking the 26 miles of the marathon on 21 April for Sarcoma UK. She says: “Natasha is a very positive and determined young lady. She is coping with her diagnosis with such strength, although there are obviously some very dark days.

“As a mum who is desperate to help but cannot do anything other than support and listen, I took part in the Virtual London Marathon in 2021 in Windsor Great Park. This year, I will be trying to speed walk the marathon in London - my knees have seen better times!”

Natasha, who was also a PE teacher, was a keen runner with a healthy lifestyle prior to her diagnosis.

Despite her sarcoma continuing to spread, she is now receiving both chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Natasha said: “I used to be a PE teacher, I’d do ParkRun every Saturday and was training to be a yoga teacher. I had a very healthy lifestyle. I was doing all the right things. Doctors thought I couldn’t have cancer because I was too young and too healthy.

“We really need more people, including health professionals, to know about sarcoma so that people like me are diagnosed earlier and can get the treatment they need.”

Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Director of Communications and Fundraising at Sarcoma UK has expressed her admiration to Thalia, calling her determination and commitment ‘truly inspiring’.  

She said: “Her daughter Natasha's story sadly illustrates how sarcoma can go undetected for too long, allowing it to spread before diagnosis and treatment. We desperately need more public awareness of the signs and symptoms of sarcoma cancers, as well as increased research to improve early detection and develop new treatments.

“We are enormously grateful to Thalia for her extraordinary efforts and determination to make a difference. We will be cheering her on every step of the 26-mile journey."