Hello, and thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

I’m taking on an epic walk around Loch Ness to raise funds for Young Lives VS Cancer, a charity that has had a profound impact on my life. Their work supporting young people facing cancer is incredible, and I’m honored to give back to an organization that helped me during one of the most challenging times of my life.

In my late teens I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. While my friends were figuring out their futures and enjoying life, I was going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy, focusing solely on getting better. It was a tough experience, but it also shaped me in ways I never expected.

At the time, I was working full-time, feeling relatively content. However, my diagnosis changed my perspective completely. It made me appreciate life and the art of the possible—the idea that life is meant to be explored, experienced, and embraced. I wrote a bucket list, something I had never considered before, and it turned out to be one of the greatest things I’ve ever done.

I made the decision to go to university, determined to get the qualifications I needed to build a future beyond cancer. I also wanted to see more of the world and face some of my fears. Since then, I’ve skydived solo, dived with sharks, and traveled to some of the most unique places in the world—challenges that once seemed impossible but became realities thanks to the resilience I built through my experience.

One of the defining sources of support during my journey was Young Lives VS Cancer (called CLIC Sargent at the time). Through their network, I met some incredible, strong individuals who helped me put my experience into perspective. Their support helped me develop an unwavering sense of positivity, something that continues to shape my outlook on life.

Young Lives VS Cancer didn’t just support me emotionally—they also helped me financially. Even though I was working full-time I stopped during treatment my commitments made it difficult to cover all my expenses. The charity provided support for travel costs, which, while not a huge amount, meant the world to me at the time. Their generosity allowed me to focus on what mattered most—getting better and rebuilding my life.

Through this journey, I also met other young people facing cancer, some of them as young as early teens, casually discussing their brain tumors like it was just another part of life. Seeing their resilience and strength made me eternally grateful for the support I received and even more determined to give back.

Not everyone has a positive outcome like I did, and I feel incredibly grateful for what I went through because it shaped the person I am today. Many young people don’t get that chance, but together, we can change that.

That’s why I’m taking on this challenge—to walk around Loch Ness and raise as much as I can for this incredible charity. Every donation, big or small, will go towards supporting young people with cancer, helping them through the toughest moments of their lives.

If you’d like to support me on this journey, please donate—every penny counts! Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any support you can give.

Let’s get those steps in! Max OLoughlin