The reason I am taking on this challenge is because on the 23rd of August 2016, I received the worst phone call of my life. My wife, Hayley, had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
I spent the next few months watching my wife endure the agonising struggle to beat this disease. She went through 6 months of really tough chemotherapy and 5 weeks of gruelling radiotherapy to her collar bone and neck.
In that time, I watched my wife lose her hair, she became weaker by the day, she struggled with day to day life, she lost the grip in her fingers, she struggled to get up and down the stairs but worst of all, I lost my Hayley. The charismatic, independent, confident woman she had always been.
But on the 22nd of August 2017, just shy of a year, I had the best phone call of my life. Hayley had been given the all the clear, she had beaten it!!
Since that phone call, Hayley and I have worked hard at building her back up to where she used to be. Her recovery has not been easy and although she still struggles with some things, we are getting there one day at a time. I can finally see my Hayley coming back and for that I am so grateful. The strength and courage my wife has shown has been inspiring and I can’t explain how proud of Hayley I am.
This would not have been possible were it not for the amazing research Lymphoma Action carries out. This work is not only important to us and our family and friends but everyone who has to fight the disease that is Lymphoma. I want to raise money for this wonderful charity to ensure other families have the same happy ending as we did.
I am running to thank the charity that saved my wife’s life and I hope you will support them in any way possible. No donation is too small, this research saves lives.
Thank you!
Lewis :)
