I'm trying to help people beat cancer; a chance my mum didn't have.

I will be running in the memory of my mum Susan Oxford, and Emmaliese Hardy- a very old friend of my family this year. It's my first year doing race for life!

 

My mum touched the lives of hundreds of people throughout her life, and I know that many people miss her. People may remember her from her work helping children to read with learning difficulties to working at the local pubs and also supporting others who were receiving chemotherapy at the same time as her. She was the best mother I could ever ask for, and many may remember her wickedly mischeivous sense of humour.

She died on the 15th August 2009 at the age of 55, as a result of nearly a decade of battling with cancer. During this time she lost most of her lung, fought a coma caused by MRSA and lost much of her independance. She suffered from bowel, lung, oesophageal and brain cancer, but never stopped smiling and fighting until the last moment.

She was one of the strongest women I will ever, ever know.

I know she was utterly broken when she could no longer do her morning crossword due to the brain tumours, when she could no longer do long walks along the downs where we lived, when she could no longer work to support her family, and when she was covered in horrific bruises from radiotherapy.... but she would never let anyone else know about it. Being healthy and doing these things are circumstances we all take for granted, but for a person with cancer they are a trial.

The loss of my mum has left a void that will never be replaced however much time heals, and I'm so sad that she will never be there to see some grandchildren (her biggest wish) or me graduate from university. So many times I wished that she would survive, but the ordeal of cancer was just too much for her.

So many other people have lost the battle with cancer, including dear Emmaliese Hardy who passed away from oesophageal last year at the tender age of 23. It makes you think that there MUST be a way, through extensive scientific research, that we can find a cure or ways of prolonging and making the lives of cancer sufferers more bearable.

Hopefully one day in the future this will be a reality, although it won't happen on its own. We need people like you and I to help raise money for this life-saving research, to make sure that it eventually happens.

Thank you for visiting my Race for Life sponsorship page. Please dig deep and sponsor this podgy scientist online - it's quick, easy and totally secure. Even if it's just a pound, I'll be eternally grateful.

Events like Race for Life are vital in funding Cancer Research UK's life-saving work into preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. By sponsoring me now you can help more people survive cancer.

Gift Aid it!

If you are a UK taxpayer, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box when donating as this will increase your donation by at least 25% at no cost to you.

Every pound you donate really does make a difference - so please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support. 

 

LET'S MAKE CANCER SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT.