Miranda Filmer BSc MScR, was a gifted event rider and sporty all-rounder, she loved lacrosse, cycling, running, surfing, skiing, waterskiing and her job in publishing. Miranda died on 10 June 2022 aged 30 of neuroendocrine cancer, which was diagnosed in 2017. Miranda’s friends and her terrific sense of humour helped her endure many treatments over 5 years, her stoicism and courage amazed her family and friends.

Professor Martyn Caplin said: “Miranda was an amazing person, someone I will never forget in terms of her attitude. I recall when a few years ago I thought of saying to her that she shouldn’t be horse riding, but she just kept on doing what she wanted to be doing. She was totally remarkable and I will always remember her in terms of her personality and the way she decided to cope in her own way. What an incredible lady and example she was.” 

Miranda was competing at Novice level in British Eventing on her thoroughbred Monty just three weeks before her death. In hospital she was still working for Anderson and Co, typing emails to her boss just one week before she died at her home in Wiltshire.

Miranda’s love for horses began at the age of two; fast forward twenty years when she was working with Mike Winter and Gubby Leech she was praised for her attention to detail and exemplary standards. From Pony Club to Team Chasing, from school Polo to the VWH, riding out on race yards to embarking on a promising publishing career with Anderson and Co, Miranda lived life energetically and at full speed- horses, wonderful boyfriend and her labrador ‘Kili’.

The zebra motif is chosen by the medical profession as the international symbol for rare diseases. When doctors hear hoof beats they should not jump to the conclusion of horses, it might be a zebra. Neuroendocrine cancer is one of those zebras and it is usually diagnosed too late once the condition is advanced and more difficult to treat. Alongside our fundraising we campaign for greater awareness amongst GP’s of this debilitating rare cancer.

As Miranda’s parents we have established the Miranda Filmer Fund with the Royal free Charity to research the genetic and epigenetic profiles of neuroendocrine tumours and discover why some of them turn The project’s aim is to construct predictive testing models to identify both targeted therapies and immunotherapies which could be used to treat neuroendocrine tumours.