I decided I wanted to set myself a difficult and meaningful personal challenge. I am very keen to test myself and to raise money for a worthy cause in the process, so I decided to sign up for Taunton half marathon. Long distance running has never come easy to me, in fact, even when I was at my fittest and strongest I have ever been (when I was a gymnast), in year 10 I couldn't run 800meters!  After starting training 2 weeks ago, I'm still dying after just 3miles lol. I am under no illusion this is going to be an overwhelmingly tough challenge but something I am determined to do and finish what ever it takes... crawling skipping the lot! It's been just over 3 years since I got told I had cervical cancer at the age of 22 years old and I feel motivated to help raise money for something so close to my heart!

I remember the day I got the news. I was manic at school and it was my first ever dance show that night. I got the call saying I had to come in to the hospital, at which my response was 'I can't I'm too busy'. After gentle persuasion, I managed to find time to leave school between 4 and 5 and that's when they told me. I was shocked. My nurse Heather was most amazing nurse to me and still is to this day! She was so supportive and helped calm me down which helped me be able to go back to work that night to do my job, let the show go on and be part responsible for 250 students.

Most people say cancer is a journey which makes you stronger and once you have beaten it everything will be ok. Unfortunately the reality is full of worry for regular check ups and more treatments just to ensure the cells or the virus you still carry don't turn out into more cancer. My journey still continues with regular check ups every 3-6 months with what feels like forever constant biopsies which are getting progressively more painful each time. But I must look on the positive that I am here. Only recently I was having a conversation with Heather saying that if it wasn't for going to a Welsh uni I wouldn't be alive today (due to laws in England). I am lucky!

When I had cancer I shut myself off to not talk about it with friends or family and just decided to love life. I didn't want people to know or give me sympathy it was never going to change things. However, from the day I got the all clear I have become much more open about it and no longer feel embarrassed. I now realise the importance of spreading awareness of cervical cancer to save others and not be selfish in my own insecurities! People often perceive me to be a strong lady and I often joke about having had fanny cancer, I mean come on, of all the cancers trust me to get that one! Although, if I'm honest, every time I go the Grace Center I cry... A lot! I cry with worry before they have even started to examine me lol. It can sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming and I sometimes I wonder when it will end. For that reason alone I want to do this run for myself to show I can overcome anything I put my mind to. Additionally I want to thank the nurses for putting up with me, let's face it, that's worth donating for any day!!

Why donate to them? The staff at the Grace Centre know me well by now and are absolutely amazing with me! They are always welcoming and they make me laugh through my tears. I love how they always ask how is everything, dancing going ok? Any shows coming up? How's the cat? I remember one appointment before my operation, there was really bad flooding, I got to the hospital and had Diane as my nurse. She explained to me that Heather has sent her apologises to me but she's been flooded in, she did try to cycle through the flood to get here today as she wanted to see you, but got stuck cycling through it. If that doesn't show the care and commitment I don't know what does! One of the things I appreciate most about them is that they ring me with my biopsy results. They know I get so anxious about waiting for them and how I panic when I get the letter with gobledygook on it. They are without a doubt a brilliant, empathetic, hard working department and I want to take time to appreciate everything they have done for me and continue to do for me and many others! 

I feel it so important to give back and help others. Please help me to raise money to show my gratitude for all the care and support I received and to help us raise awareness of cervical cancer!! Your donation truly means so much to myself personally. Every single penny donated helps! 

My final note, if you are now over 25 and still haven't been for a check up, don't let yourself read this and then in 3 years time regret it and not be in my position I am today as a survivor just because you didn't get checked! Get checked, support cervical cancer! Spread awareness!

All my love,

Ceri Morgan

Xxxxxxx

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