Read some of the stories we've already received from people whose lives have been touched by cancer.

If you have experienced cancer and would like to share your story, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Tom Haswell, from Glasgow, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 1993

Tom was invited to take part in a treatment trial at the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow (core funded by Cancer Research UK). The drug Tom received shrank his tumour significantly and he then followed a course of intensive radiotherapy as part of his treatment.

For the past few years Tom has been involved in lung cancer support and advocacy.

"Last year I contributed to the NCRI (National Cancer Research Institute) lung cancer report, which was partly funded by Cancer Research UK. The report highlighted that there was a big need for more investment in lung cancer research.

"I've shared my experience in an attempt to raise the profile of lung cancer patients, to highlight the problems faced by lung cancer patients and to try to reverse the stigma attached to the disease. Lung cancer is a very serious illness but people do live with, and survive, lung cancer."

Naveed Sharif from Blackburn, lost his sister to cancer

"I have shared my story to encourage people to raise funds for such an excellent charity which is working hard to make a real difference to so many people's lives.

"My sister Sam died at the age of 18 from a brain tumour, after battling with the condition for over two years. After this, I decided to take part in the Great North Run in full fire-fighting kit (including breathing apparatus) as I am employed by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. As soon as I made this public, offers of substantial amounts of sponsors started flooding in. My colleagues thought I had gone mad, and upon reflection – I may well have! This was quite a significant personal challenge for me but I saw doing something as mad as this as giving something back.

"I managed the Great North Run in under two hours and raised over £1,500. I actively encourage everyone to support the charity and help the research."

Gary and Angie Batchelor, from Hayes in Middlesex, parents of 6-year old Alex, shared their story of going through cancer treatment with a young child.

"When our little girl Alex was two she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, at this time she was very ill and close to losing her life.

"Alex went through two years of treatment and looking back we can't believe how brave she was. Now she is a very confident girl, after everything she's been through she takes all that life throws at her in her stride.

"We've helped publicise Cancer Research UK's Little Star campaign by speaking to journalists from our local paper and appearing in a national magazine feature with other families affected by cancer. We've also been to London to encourage MPs to plan for future cancer care."

Kathleen Devers, from Uddingston in Scotland, has successfully been treated for oral cancer

"I had a seven-hour operation in 2001, which involved removing the tumour and surrounding area in my mouth. Flesh from my left arm was used to fill this gap and skin was grafted from my thigh onto my arm. After this experience I wanted to give something back, so I was glad to be able to help Cancer Research UK's mouth cancer campaign.

"As part of the campaign I attended the launch in the Houses of Parliament, where I spoke to the press and politicians. I featured in magazines, newspapers and online news sites; and I also took part in a radio interview for BBC Scotland."

If you would like to help us by sharing your story, we would love to hear from you.