British Marine Runs Five Marathons in Five Days to Raise Money for Sister’s Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment

Five marathons in five days is an inconceivable feat for most, but British Royal Marine Michael Francis was determined to do just that. But not for fitness or pride he's running for his sister, Justine Jianikos.

Jianikos, from Pontypool, Wales, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in December 2020 after a misdiagnosis in May. The aggressive cancer spread to her spine and lungs.

According to WalesOnline, Jianikos began her treatment in January, which consisted of four rounds of chemotherapy at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, Wales. She shared with WalesOnline that doctors have seen early signs the lump in her breast is shrinking. They are hopeful this will help with the spine and lung tumors.

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Francis took it upon himself to run five marathons in five days in the hopes of raising money for "alternative treatments to prolong her current life expectancy once her round of chemotherapy finishes," according to Francis' GoFundMe page.

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He began his first marathon on April 14 and finished his fifth and final marathon on Sunday. Although the Marine is used to pushing his body, he had never run a marathon before April. In fact, the 37-year-old only trained for eight weeks due to the fast progression of his sister's cancer.

But he was not alone. His friends Rhys Richards and Jonny Hibbins joined him on his mission. They have raised over £35,000, according to the BBC. After his run on Sunday, Francis shared the time and pace of his final run to his @5marathons_5days Instagram account.

"5th and final marathon done, thank you everyone for all your support and donations it really has kept us all going," Francis wrote. "Myself and my family will be forever thankful."

The money raised is not only meant to give Jianikos more time with her brother, but also time with her fiancé and five, six and eight-year-old little girls. Justine told WalesOnline she was blown away by the love and support from so many.

“That’s their hard-earned money,"  Jianikos said. "They’ve worked for that money and they are willing to part with that to help me and my family. It’s overwhelming and I can’t thank them enough.”

Learn More About Metastatic Breast Cancer

Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer means the cancer has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body. It most commonly spreads to the bones, liver and lungs, but it may also spread to the brain or other organs, according to the American Cancer Society.

Although metastatic breast cancer is considered incurable, there are treatment options available. Treatment often shrinks tumors or slows their growth, improves symptoms and helps extend the life of the patient.

Breast Cancer Screening

Screening for breast cancer is done via mammogram, which looks for lumps in the breast tissue and signs of cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends women begin screening for breast cancer at age 45. In a video for SurvivorNet, Dr. Connie Lehman, chief of the Breast Imaging Division at Massachusetts General Hospital, says people who haven’t reached menopause yet should prioritize getting a mammogram every year.

RELATED: When Should I Get a Mammogram?

"We know that cancers grow more rapidly in our younger patients, and having that annual mammogram can be lifesaving," says Dr. Lehman. "After menopause, it may be perfectly acceptable to reduce that frequency to every two years. But what I'm most concerned about is the women who haven't been in for a mammogram for two, three, or four years, those women that have never had a mammogram. We all agree regular screening mammography saves lives."

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