I think I may of just committed to the most crazy thing i've ever done. On the 16th September i've decided to run the Great North Run 13.1 miles 3 days after I finish my 3rd Cycle of intense chemotherapy which lasts for 15 days of which I start tommorrow. I'm going to be running it with my mum (Ann), Dad ( Nigel) and boyfriend Lewis for an unbelievable appeal.

'Nobody said it would be easy but they just promised it would be worth it'  

I'm currently being treated at the Leicester Royal Infirmary for Berketts Lymphoma. At the age of 24 Cancer pretty much sent my world upside down and inside out. I want to try and raise as much money as I can for the Ourspace appeal to allow the building of a young persons ward at the hospital. They are embarking on a ambitious project to create world class Children and Young people's cancer unit for 0-24 year olds at the Leicester Royal Infiramary.

OurSpace Appeal: 

 

Currently, children are treated in the children’s hospital. Young adults have specialist treatment  in adult oncology and haematology wards and outpatients. Other treatment  is spread out across different areas of the hospitals. This can be particularly difficult for teenagers and young adults both when first diagnosed and treated for cancer and if they need to make the transition from children’s to adult cancer services.

The new integrated unit will totally transform the environment in which children, teenagers and young adults are treated. The careful use of design, lighting and colour will turn an ordinary hospital ward into a space that children will find stimulating whatever their age. 

This will include:

Dedicated medical and play facilities for children including games and television. 

Separate medical and recreational facilities for teenagers and young people aged 13 to 24, including games, television and access to the internet. 

Dedicated outpatient and day case treatment areas within the children and young people’s cancer unit (to avoid the need where possible to use the adult services) 

An integrated team of specialist nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals from adult and children’s medicine. 

Specially trained staff to assist with social activities, education and psycho-social issues 

Support for families with a child or young person on the unit

 

 

I'm currently having first hand experience of how hard it is to spend a long period of time on adult ward and the Ourspace appeal and Ward will really help to make a difference to young people's experience with cancer, treatment and recovery. 

I have to let people know that there is still a chance that I could pick up an infection during treatment so if this happens I wont be able to run the Great North (fingers crossed it doesnt) If I do I will find a half marathon after i've complety finished the treatment. Most of you who know me will know thats not really entering my head. I WILL be running it :) 

I really appreciate every single penny that you donate and it will all go towards making a huge difference to young people being treated for & living with cancer in Leicestershire. I'd like to thank everyone for thier support, its so overwelming and means the world now lets see if we can try and make a difference and raise as much as we can for the Ourspace appeal 

'Its not waiting for the storm to pass, Its about learning to dance in the rain' 

Thankyou soo much for your time and effort. Dig Deep and Donate now :) 

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