Alreeet my friends !!!!

Yes .... It’s me...Big Phil Whelan ...Who would have thought it! Me! Running ( well fast walking really) !! Wow !!!

Well for those who I have not seen in a while I was inspired to start running by watching our awesome Olympians and ParaOlympians on the TV in the summer. I started to do a little bit of jogging to get fit and it’s taken off from there I guess….Still 13.1miles is a big thing for this big chap !

So why have a chosen Macmillan as my charity?

Back in 2006 I was working on a surgical ward on a specialist cancer unit at an inner city Liverpool Hospital. I was offered an opportunity to shadow the wards Macmillan Nurse for a period of 6 weeks. This soon turned into 6 months and it became apparent that another specialist nurse was needed to support the sheer volume of cancer patients referred to the specialist unit. I could see the difference that the Macmillan Nurse made to her patients – as a shoulder to cry on, a source of practical support, someone to turn to for advice.

This is where your money and a fantastic charity come in. My hospital trust applied for funding from Macmillan to support and train an additional nurse. Macmillan Cancer Support responded and a developmental post with fantastic support and educational opportunities provided the catalyst for my current role – a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pancreatic cancer.

All Macmillan nurses are registered nurses with at least five years' experience, including two or more years in cancer or end of life care. We complete specialist courses in managing pain and other symptoms, and in psychological support.

As in my case, Macmillan nurses are usually employed by the NHS and their posts are funded by Macmillan for a set time, often for the first three years. After that time, the long-term funding is taken up by the NHS or other partner organisations.

Every patient diagnosed with cancer should have access to a specialist nurse in that particular cancer group to guide and support through treatment from diagnosis, through treatment into remission, or, in those patients who unfortunately are not cured, through to end of life care. As of June 2011, there were more than 3500 Macmillan nurse posts across the UK, both in hospitals and in the community. Without charity events and the Great British Public !! and the support and passion of so many supporters, volunteers, donors and Macmillan employees – this would not be possible.

Please show your support of Macmillan and the nurses, doctors, socials workers, phsyios, admin staff, fundraisers who provide an invaluable service to patients and family’s affected by cancer. And please please rememberr the inspiring patients we care for.

I may come last!! … I may hobble the last miles but I promise you all I will finish …And I never break a promise!!

Cheers

Lots of Love xx