Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This is a 'little bit' of my story:-

I was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP); a rare form of incurable abdominal cancer that affects only one or two people in every million in the UK each year.

Following two major operations & three rounds of chemotherapy treatment, I was given, at best, only 18 months to live on palliative care. I was then offered pioneering transplantation surgery as a treatment option & after I agreed to go ahead I had to undertake a series of tests to make sure I was suitable for organ donation/capable of undertaking the surgery. Having successfully completed the tests I was then fortunate enough to benefit from the gift of organ donation & from the extraordinary work being conducted at the Oxford Transplant Centre – a multi organ transplant procedure. Following a 17 hour operation which was undertaken by three specialist teams the transplant was successfully completed & in doing so I became only the third person in the world to survive such a life-saving transplant operation. 

During the surgery, I had a 25kg tumour (4 stone) removed from my abdomen, along with my pancreas, stomach, large and small bowel, spleen, gall bladder, duodenum and abdominal wall. My liver also had to be stripped. This was in addition to my appendix and omentum being removed during previous surgery.

The work being carried out at the Oxford Transplant Centre is, in my opinion, nothing short of miraculous, and it is vital that such a wonderful team that gives hope to so many is properly funded and supported. The centre carries out a range of transplant procedures for patients across the UK, as well as the promotion of transplantation research undertaken by the Foundation that makes operations like mine possible. You can read more about the charity and the amazing work they do here:- 

https://www.oxfordtransplant.org.uk/ 

That’s why I have decided, along with friends & family, to undertake the challenge of a 10k this September in Sheffield. I want to help the centre that has given me my life back & provide the same opportunities for patients who require their own life-saving transplant operations. Given that not so long ago I was in intensive care on life support with my life on the edge, undertaking a 10k will be a huge personal challenge, but it’s one that I’m relishing in the knowledge that we can raise vital funds for such a brilliant cause.

If you also want to join us on the 10k to raise funds for the Oxford Transplant Foundation please visit the following link:- 

http://www.runforall.com/10k/sheffield/ 

So, if you can just spare the equivalent of the price of a chocolate bar or a cup of coffee for my 'Just Giving' page you’ll be helping to support work that will save lives & give hope to many.   

Thank you so much in anticipation of your generosity & for helping such an amazing cause. 

I am dedicating this fundraising event in memory of Gary who sadly passed away earlier this year. Gary was in hospital with me & it was an absolute pleasure & privilege to get to know him & his wife, Chris. Gary & I had the same illness & even though we only got to spend a few weeks together on the ward he will long live in my memory for his positivity & his ability to keep a sense of perspective on what was an extremely difficult time for us both - this run is dedicated to you Gary & I know you will be with me every step of the way.