When Dom, 33, from Hockley, received his terminal cancer diagnosis on his son’s fifth birthday, it was devastating news for his young family. But with the ongoing support of Fair Havens and Little Havens, Dom and his family are making every day count – seeing him transform from a man who could barely walk down a corridor to a runner raising thousands for the charity that gave his family a lifeline and helped them create treasured memories. 

For three and a half years, Dom fought Stage 3 gastric cancer with everything he had. Multiple rounds of intense FLOT chemotherapy took a toll on his body, leaving lasting damage. He underwent more operations than he can count, including a total gastrectomy – the complete removal of his stomach. 

Then came 3rd June 2025. On what should have been a day of celebration for his young son Finley’s birthday, Dom and his wife Becky received devastating news: the cancer had spread to multiple organs and was now terminal. 

Dom, explains, “Unfortunately, it’s in a lot more organs than it’s not. With it being cell-based, they said a lot of the cells will be so microscopic that they won’t show up on any scans.” 

As complications mounted, Dom found himself let down by hospitals that refused treatment. That’s when Fair Havens stepped in with the kind of specialist care and support that would give him a lifeline. 

Dom recalls: “When other hospitals let me down and refused treatment, the lovely Care Team at Fair Havens managed to get me into hospital for an emergency operation to put a stent in my liver. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t actually be here now.” 

This wasn’t Dom’s only stay at Fair Havens. After a severe reaction to chemotherapy, he returned to the hospice for several weeks of care. Throughout both admissions, Fair Havens provided not just medical support for Dom, but compassionate care and support for his entire family. 

As Dom received the specialist care he needed at Fair Havens, the charity’s Wellbeing Team quickly stepped in to support his young son and wife through one of the most difficult times any family can face. While Dom focused on his recovery and symptom management, his family received the emotional and practical support they desperately needed. Tracy, the charity’s Family Support Worker, visits Finley at school to provide compassionate one-to-one support, helping him understand and cope with the impact of his dad’s diagnosis in a safe, familiar environment. 

“The Wellbeing Team were so quick to jump in, and are now helping to support my son and my wife through this difficult time, which is truly amazing.” 

Dom credits the entire Fair Havens team – from doctors and consultants to nurses, cooks, therapists, housekeeping, and volunteers – with helping him regain his strength and return home. 

He reflects: “All the lovely staff at Fair Havens truly looked after me and my family, and helped me get my strength back to be able to come home.  It’s all the little things they did that made the biggest difference, and for that, I will always be truly grateful.” 

Those “little things” – a warm meal, a kind word, attention to comfort and dignity – are what transform medical care into compassionate support that helps families make every day count. 

Before his diagnosis, Dom worked as a strength conditioning coach and rehabilitation specialist, helping others achieve their fitness goals and recover from injury. 

Dom’s running journey began during his time at Fair Havens in an unexpected way. He started going out early to watch the sunrise, appreciating moments he once took for granted. One morning, something compelled him to start running. 

“Bearing in mind I haven’t run since school!” Dom says. “Mentally, running was a game-changer for me. From barely being able to walk down the corridor, to pushing myself out running.” 

For Dom, running represents more than physical exercise: “I absolutely love the mental challenge, I love pushing myself to my limit, and seeing what I am truly capable of.” 

Rather than accepting his diagnosis as an ending, Dom chose to see the time he has left as an opportunity to create meaning and leave a legacy for his son. 

“My time frame, unfortunately, isn’t very long at all, but I am damn sure going to make the most of it. I want to show people that although I am terminal, it doesn’t mean you give up, and it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. I want my son to see that I never gave up, and to be someone he will always be proud of.” 

Inspired by the exceptional care his family received, Dom has embarked on a fundraising mission. He’s entering as many 5k and 10k races as possible, with hopes of completing a half-marathon despite living with terminal cancer.  

“The love and care my little family and I received from Fair Havens and Little Havens has been truly amazing, and I cannot thank them enough. Therefore, I am going to run as much as I can to help raise money and raise awareness of the wonderful work they both provide. It’s the only thing I feel like I can do to help give back.” 

Dom documents his journey on Instagram at @MyFinalMiles. 

To support Dom’s fundraising efforts visit his fundraising page at www.gofundme.com/f/terminal-gastric-cancer-patient-running-for-havens-hospices  

Published January 2026