I’ve signed up for the Race For Life. Part of me is thinking ‘what the heck have I done?’ but I know that it’s something I really want to do. I can’t run, some days I have difficulty walking, but I want to do something now, raise some money, make a difference, just do something so I can say that I did it.
My walk/race is on 28th June and it’s only 5k. I can do that, if it’s a good day I might even be able to jog a little. I’m giving myself eight weeks to train, that’s plenty of time.
So why am I doing it?
In 2008 I lost my mum to cancer. She didn’t stand a chance, from diagnosis to death was a matter of weeks, not months or years. Despite already being ill and having regular check-ups and x-rays, her cancer was very aggressive. Thankfully it’s not always like that and a lot of people have a fighting chance. More and more are surviving cancer and with more research that number will keep on increasing.
My Twitter and Facebook friend Gavin went to the dentist to have his wisdom tooth out. It turned out something wasn’t right and he was sent for more checks. He had cancer. He fought but lost his battle.
My next door neighbour Marie also lost her battle with cancer a few days after we moved away. She was not much older than me.
My friend Clare found out she had cancer when she found a lump after having her first baby. She fought her battle for five years, all the time knowing it was going to take her one day because it was so aggressive.
My friend Alexandra is currently winning her battle and my friend Maggie has just begun hers. I wish I had a magic wand for them but I don’t. Doing this race gives me the chance to give a little bit towards their battles.
So many people. I do remember when I didn’t know anyone who had battled cancer, but now, not only do I know all these, practically everyone I know knows someone. It’s scary. We have to do something, anything, we have to find ways to beat this awful disease.
So over the next couple of months I will be giving you updates on how I’m getting on. I will be telling you about my own battles that I have to face to do this. I do hope you will support me along the way.
I’m not very good at asking for things but I’m going to pop my JustGiving page link wherever I can over the next two months. If you see it and you can spare a little to sponsor me then that will make it all worth while and I will thank you from the bottom of my heart.
You're right, too many people. The list just seems to grow. We need to do something about it! I'm after you, but will think of you when I run 🙂 x
Thanks Steph, and thanks for giving me my first donation xx
Well done Anne. I too remember the time I thought it was irrelevant to me – but now know too many people affected. x