Hi, I'm Jane. I have decided to participate in a trek in the Grand Canyon for Alder Hey Children's hospital. The trek itself consists of a walk of at least 60 miles. The ascent/decent is larger than the total elevation of Ben Nevis, going down will be great, I'm not so sure about the coming back up though! My aim is before the trek to loose a total of 6 stone and so far I have already lost 2 stone and 3 pounds! 

Alder Hey Childrens hospital is a charity that over the years has become very close to my heart, as unfortunately two out of my three children have gone through prolonged stays in the hospital. 

In 2004 my son, Charles, had a Dermoid Cyst in the C3 of his spin which was affecting his walking. after diagnosis it was successfully operated on in Alder Hey. The following recovery took 6 months of rehabilitation. Meanwhile all the staff were fabulous, especially the staff of M3 and physiotherapy. He has now fully recovered and has gone on to lead a normal life. 

In December 2009 Charles was fully discharged as the treatment was so successful but unfortunately 6 months later in June 2010 my youngest daughter, Emily, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L.). The treatment was initially Chemo then because it wasn't working fast enough we moved onto the next course of action which of which required a Bone Marrow transplant from a suitable donor. Both Charles and my other daughter, Sarah, were tested; fortuitously Sarah was a perfect match and the transplant went ahead as planned in the October. The transplant was a great success and the A.L.L was cured! 

Unfortunately after she had done so well in the initial recovery and leaving isolation, she went on to develop chronic Graft Vs Host Disease (GvHD), which she is still fighting to this day, 5 years later. She has been in and out of the Oncology Ward at Alder hey for the duration of this due to the fact she developed blood clots in her lung/bladder, the loss of mobility and muscle strength, cataracts in both eyes and her skin broke out in deep wounds all over which required skin grafts and the ones of her legs are still having to be dressed weekly due to them not healing and they have now been in this state for 4 years. In September 2013 the worst happened and she suffered a pulmonary cardiac arrest. We were told to prepare for the worst but she pulled through and came bouncing backer stronger than ever. Throughout all of this the staff at Alder hey, especially those on Oncology have been fantastic and go above and beyond what is expected of them on a day to say basis. 

Even though Emily is now 19 years old, the hospital have agreed to keep Emily at Alder Hey for as long as she remains a complex need patient, which could be a while!

For anybody that wants to read more about Emily and her fight, feel free to have a look at the link below: 

http://www.remarkablepeople.org.uk/emily/

It is for all of these reasons that I truly believe that Alder Hey children's hospital is most definitely a place full of remarkable people and is something that needs supporting and help make sure everyone can receive the same impeccable treatment we have and are still receiving. This trek will hopefully not only be life changing for me, but for other under the care at Alder Hey hospital.

I would really appreciate it if you could join me in supporting this wonderful hospital and charity and any donation regardless of how big or small would be a great help. 

Thank you very much, 

Jane