In September 2016, my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after becoming ill with sickness. It took many weeks before a definitive diagnosis was made. Pancreatic cancer is caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the pancreas - a large gland that's part of the digestive system.  For 6 weeks my dad was confined  to a hospital bed, unable to eat or drink, only being fed nutrients by a drip. Fortunately my dad was lucky enough to be diagnosed early enough to receive total pancreas removal surgery to remove the cancer. This surgery was successful  and my dad was allowed to go home, however we were unaware of how much this situation would turn our lives upside down. My dad was left with insulin dependant diabetes due to the full pancreas being removed and his life would never be the same again.  

He returned home from a lengthy stay at Queen Elizabeth's hospital in Birmingham a changed man. Shortly after the operation, we received the heart breaking devastating news the cancer had spread to his liver, stomach and possibly lungs, meaning for the foreseeable future my dad would have to attend regular chemotherapy sessions. 

Sadly after just under a year of fighting this cruel disease my dad passed away on 29th August 2017. He was 64 years old and leaves behind a loving family who miss him dearly. My dad meant the world to me, as he did to all to his family. He will never be forgotten. 

My dad was a very quiet man and never asked anything of anyone and that is why I need your help. In my dads memory, alongside my brother Dan, I am raising money for Pancreatic Cancer UK by running the London Marathon 2018. These guys fund innovative research into ways of understanding, diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer alongside providing support to those who are unfortunate enough to have to deal with it.

So anyone who knows me will understand that this will be an incredible challenge for me, but if getting off the sofa and running 26.2 miles increases the awareness of pancreatic cancer and provides the charity with funding to beat this disease then that is what I shall do. If this money can prevent one family from having to go through what me and my dad went through, then it will be a success. I am now a proud mummy to Joseph who is 2 and Adam who is 4 months meaning I spend most of my days living in a tired haze and not giving me much free time to raise. But those of you who know me will know that when I set my mind to something I am determined to succeed.

So please, support us by donating anything you can, whether that be £1 or £1,000,000 anything will help - even a little facebook share to promote this just giving page. Thank you so much for your kindness and support.  

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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