Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I have been telling myself for several years that it would be fun to try the Bath Half - great atmosphere, elite athletes leading the pack, showing us how it's done and fantastic charitable causes. After a few tentative 10k runs, I have decided to take the leap and run for the RUH Forever Friends Appeal, our local hospital fundraising charity which this year, is raising money for a new cancer centre. It has to be said, I owe them one.

Back in March 2010, I was diagnosed with cancer, quite out of the blue. I felt fit and well (irony - had started running then), had two small children and was trying to figure out what to do with my career. So I underwent two operations, chemotherapy for 5 months followed by daily radiotherapy. I managed a slow 5k 'fight against cancer' run just after the start of chemo. By the end of treatment, I needed 1-2 breaks just walking up my own stairs. Over time, I have got back to running which has helped me regain confidence in my body and given me both physical and mental strength again. So it seems right to use this to try and raise money.

I cannot fault the care I received at the hospital - kind and dedicated staff, timely operations and treatment ... but it wasn't fun.

Imagine the chemo suite. It is set in the older part of the hospital and is a large room lined with chairs. You see everyone, everyone sees you. Sounds sociable? Only until the waves of nausea hit about 2 hours into the chemo, trying to hold it all together as others around you go through their personal storms, all of us wondering who will be sick first.

It's always a stressful experience being in hospital for any reason but I think that the plans outlined for the new cancer centre will help coping with the gruelling treatment that is particular to cancer.

So I'm running for others, perhaps for my future self, to support the Forever Friends appeal to create a new Cancer Centre. Do click on their site to have a look at what the fantastic work that they are planning. A holistic therapeutic environment, something that could really make the difference in a person's experience of cancer from the point of diagnosis through treatment and even end of life care.

Please help me support this cause. I'll keep you posted on my training efforts (!...) and how I get along on the day.

A huge thank you to you all

Olivia

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