Story 20 November 2022

London Landmarks 2023 - Tom's Story

The lives of the Spurling family were forever changed when their son Tom was diagnosed with cancer aged just seven. Despite intense treatment, Tom’s cancer was very aggressive, and he sadly passed away just before his eighth birthday. In memory of her beloved son, Ruth took on the 2023 London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise money for King’s College Hospital Charity.
Tom and mum Ruth

“In 2018, our seven-year-old twin son, Tom, became unwell with acute tummy pains and was rushed to our local hospital in Dorset” says mum, Ruth. Heartbreakingly, a tumour was found on his liver and the family were very quickly transferred to Rays of Sunshine ward, a specialist ward for children with liver disease in King’s College Hospital. 

Tom was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma – a type of liver cancer that occurs in young children. The family were devastated when further investigations revealed multiple lung metastases.

“It was life shattering. The medical team at King’s supported our family in those early days and helped us to face this scary new reality."
Ruth

As Tom had to undergo intense chemotherapy before he could have liver surgery, the team also worked with the family and their local hospitals to plan and manage his treatment and care. After several months of chemotherapy at The Piam Brown Unit in Southampton, Tom had a major liver resection at King’s where world-renowned surgeon Professor Nigel Heaton and his team removed the tumour. Following his surgery, Tom spent several weeks under the care of both the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and Rays of Sunshine ward.  

Devastatingly, after nine months of treatment, Tom's cancer transitioned into a more aggressive form, which spread to his spine. “He went on to have major neuro-surgery but, heartbreakingly, just before his and his twin’s eighth birthday, on 1st April 2019, our beautiful Tom passed away, peacefully, surrounded by his loving family."

“Our family life is forever altered; from the cancer diagnosis, to the loss of Tom – and now as we live as a bereaved family walking this difficult path. King’s was a pivotal place in the 'before' and 'after' of the life we once knew.  And, although the time spent at the hospital was limited, it holds a permanent place in our hearts and minds in our life with Tom."
“Tom loved London and he loved being active but, most importantly, I know he would love to see us doing something positive in this heartbreaking situation. So, I'm running the 2023 London Landmarks Half Marathon in his memory. And I’m raising money for King's College Hospital Charity because King’s were there for our family during the very worst of times.”

Ruth will join a passionate team of London Landmark runners on 2nd April 2023 who are all raising vital funds to help us make the best care possible. With your support we can help families, like the Spurlings, who are going through the unimaginable. If you'd like to join Ruth participating in this amazing event for an even better cause, we'd love you on board! Register your interest for the London Landmarks Half Marathon today.

Organise your own fundraising event for King's College Hospital Charity

Take on your own fundraising event and do something amazing for patients in the hospitals we support. Whatever you decide to take part in, you'll be making a huge difference to the lives of patients, their families, and staff at King's.

Fundraise for King's