A Mother's Miraculous Recovery and Tragic Relapse
In August 2021, Phil McCullough's 68-year-old mother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer after experiencing dangerously low salt levels and loss of balance. Doctors warned that without immediate chemotherapy, she had less than a week to live. Over the following months, she endured aggressive treatment, with hospital visits becoming a relentless cycle of fear and exhaustion.
Miraculously, after just two rounds of chemotherapy—far fewer than the typical 4-6 rounds for this type of cancer—her lungs were declared completely clear by consultants. Phil was overjoyed, sharing the news with his frail but smiling mother, creating one of his most cherished memories. She was scheduled for a month of radiotherapy, and optimism filled the air.
The Sanctuary of Maggie's Centre
Throughout the treatment, Phil and his mother found solace at their local Maggie's centre, a charity offering free support to cancer patients and their families. This bright, welcoming space provided a stark contrast to clinical hospital wards, serving as a sanctuary for respite and comfort. It became a lifeline, helping them navigate the harsh realities of cancer with cups of tea and moments of peace.
By January 2022, scans confirmed she was cancer-free, and the family celebrated with a bonfire party, bingo, and a magical Christmas. Phil planned a fun weekend in London for February, continuing their tradition of annual trips that had included visits to Graceland, Venice, Rome, and Paris.
A Sudden and Devastating Turn
Tragically, the day before their London trip, his mother's salt levels dropped again, accompanied by weakness and unsteadiness—the same red flags from her initial diagnosis. Rushed to the hospital, they learned the lung cancer had returned and spread, with doctors giving her only days to live. This time, there was no prevention or extension possible; she passed away in February 2022, just six months after first falling ill.
Phil credits Maggie's with helping him survive his grief, offering bereavement counselling and ongoing support even after his mother's death. The charity, which relies entirely on donations without government funding, became a godsend, providing a warm, human space to gather himself during the darkest times.
Running for a Cause: The London Marathon Challenge
Determined to give back, Phil vowed to run the London Marathon for Maggie's. After years of unsuccessful applications, he received a last-minute call in 2026 with an offer to join, requiring a decision within a day and a pledge to raise £3,000. With less than 11 weeks to train, he accepted, seeing it as a sign to cross the finish line in his mother's memory.
To fundraise, Phil organized a sing-a-thon at his local choir, hosted a raffle, and utilized social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to share training videos and progress. Now running three to four times weekly, he finds the exhaustion worthwhile, driven by the desire to help other families facing cancer's fear and uncertainty.
Reflecting on his loss, Phil misses his mother daily, recalling how it was always the two of them after his parents' divorce. He acknowledges that running the marathon is one of the hardest challenges he's undertaken, but it pales in comparison to the courage, humour, and dignity his mother displayed. Every step, he believes, will be worth it if it supports even one more family through similar heartbreak.
