Emily Cann

Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK

My name is Emily Cann, and I am honoured to be running the 2026 London Marathon in support of Parkinson’s UK. I am running in memory of my wonderful dad, Edward Cann, who we sadly lost to Parkinson’s disease in December 2024.

Parkinson’s is a cruel and relentless condition that gradually stole so much from him. It started with his job and his ability to drive, then throughout the years it took his confidence, his voice, and his independence, leaving him unable to complete even the simplest tasks he once managed on his own. Dad was a very proud man, so you can imagine how devastating it was for him to lose so much, piece by piece. Despite everything Parkinson’s took from him, Dad remained incredibly resilient, determined to live independently for as long as possible. Even when accepting help became unavoidable, surrendering that independence was the hardest battle of all.

He suffered in ways that are difficult to truly understand unless you’ve lived through something similar. Parkinson’s affects far more than movement - it can bring pain, exhaustion, anxiety, and the gradual loss of control over both body and mind. Watching someone you love so dearly endure that amount of pain is its own kind of torture, and it’s something our family lived with for years. 

After battling Parkinson’s for eight long years, and spending the final three painful months in hospital, Dad passed away from pneumonia when Parkinson’s had left him too weak to recover. If it wasn’t for Parkinson’s, he would still be with us today.

My dad leaves behind a legacy of three children, five younger siblings, many nieces and nephews, his mother, and my own mum - all of us honouring him in our own way. Parkinson’s stole so much from him, but it also took so much from us. He’ll never get to meet his future grandchildren or walk me or my sister down the aisle. It has robbed us of countless moments we should have shared, and I want to do everything I can to help prevent more families from experiencing this same heartbreak.

Like many illnesses, Parkinson’s is unfair and unforgiving. I often find myself asking, why him? Why my dad? It only reminds me that it could happen to anyone. Every hour, two people in the UK are told they have Parkinson’s, and one in 20 is under the age of 40. Today, Parkinson’s affects around 166,000 people in the UK. Every penny raised will help Parkinson’s UK continue their vital work - funding research, improving treatments, and bringing hope to families like mine. This disease does not just affect the person diagnosed, it impacts everyone who loves and cares for them. 

With the number of people living with Parkinson’s expected to double by 2050, and with over 40 possible symptoms and no current cure, research and awareness have never been more important. I am in awe of the remarkable work Parkinson’s UK already do, and to play even a small part in supporting their mission is something I’m incredibly proud of.

I am not a runner - far from it. Taking on this marathon will be one of the biggest physical and mental challenges I have ever faced, and I know the training will test me in ways I’ve never experienced. It is my way of channelling some of my grief into something meaningful, and hopefully making my dad proud. He never liked a fuss being made about him, but please, let’s make a fuss now. Let’s raise as much money as we can in his name. He was a great man, and he deserves to be recognised as one. 

I think about my dad constantly and miss him more than words can express. There’s a hole in our lives that only he could fill, but I know he’ll be with me on the day - cheering me on from the heavens and holding my hand as I cross the finish line. Dad ran a few half marathons in his life, and now it will be the greatest honour to go the full distance for him.