Woman told change in bowel habits is food intolerance then gets awful diagnosis (2025)

Maria Paszkiewicz, 76, died of stage 4 bowel cancer in April 2024 after being given a prognosis of three to six months - but she passed away suddenly just three days later

A woman who died after being diagnosed with cancer had first been told her change in bowel habits were because of an intolerance to certain foods. Maria Paszkiewicz, 76, was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in August 2023 - which spread to her liver.

Initially chemotherapy treatment appeared to show promise but the disease soon became resistant to the later chemo. In mid-April 2024, doctors gave Maria a prognosis of three to six months - though she passed away suddenly just three days later on 25th April.

Her daughter, Anne-Marie, 43, has decided to commemorate her mum by running two marathons in a week in her memory. Sporty Anne-Marie has been an avid runner for 15 years and completed an incredible 22 marathons - including the New York, Tokyo and Paris - and 78 half marathons, racking up an impressive 1598.2 race miles so far overall.

Anne-Marie, who runs her own running shop, from Coventry, West Midlands, said: "My Mum had a noticeably significant change in bowel habits - the need to go more frequently and often with some urgency - and that eventually prompted the request for a blood test at the doctors.

"The change in bowel habits was initially thought to have been an intolerance to certain foods, but when this didn't feel right my Mum had to push for a blood test to be done to ascertain what the issue really was. It will be very emotional week, my mum passing has given me a whole new reason to focus on running.

"It was a huge shock to the system. After that initial prognosis we spent the next few days calculating how long three months was and milestones coming up and what can we do as a family - but we didn't get to do any of that. So for her to then suddenly pass away a few days later, it was a shock to the core."

Within six days, Anne-Marie will run both the Boston Marathon in the US and the London Marathon in the UK. The London Marathon falls just two days after the first anniversary of Maria's passing. To cope with her loss Anne-Marie channelled her grief into action.

"I thought, what can I do?" she said. "Running has always been my way of processing things, so getting a place in the London Marathon felt like a lovely way to honour mum and give back."

Anne-Marie is running the London Marathon to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. "They were so good to us, and this feels like a meaningful way to give back," she said.

Her initial target was £2,500, but she's already surpassed £4,800 and hopes to raise even more. Anne-Marie said: "It's been amazing to see the kindness of people and the community spirit that shines through during times like this."

The Boston Marathon is the only race Anne-Marie needed to complete the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors 6 Star Medal. When she found out she'd secured a place, she couldn't believe it. She said: "Boston is six days before London, so now it's turned into something really epic.

"I feel prepared - nervous but good. Training has gone really well and I feel as ready as I'll ever be. I've thought about my mum and it'll be nice to see my dad proud and happy too. Running for Macmillan too so it will be very exciting and I know I can do it!"

Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving, said: "Anne-Marie's fundraiser not only honours her mother's legacy it also highlights the powerful impact that charities like Macmillan have in supporting those who need it. We wish Anne-Marie the very best of luck in her London Marathon 2025 challenge."