My name is Sarah, I am 29 years old and am married to my childhood sweetheart and we have a gorgeous healthy 2 year old son, however life has not always been so kind to me. 

At age 20 I was diagnosed with stage 3 Colon cancer. As you can imagine it was terrifying even if I did tried to pretend like I wasn't scared. I tried to stay calm but to see my whole family and support network distraught I couldn't pretend any longer. I was petrified I was going to die. The fear became strength and after a rough 9 months I was in remission. It didn't come without some complications but thankfully now 9 years on, I am at a full bill of health! As I approach my 30th birthday I wanted to give back to Cancer research and raise as much as I can by pushing myself and setting myself challenges. Some I will do on my own and some with he help and support of others around me. Just like I did through my treatment!

The surgeons, the doctors, the nurses and every single person that was helping me during my cancer diagnosis and treatment were out of this world. Nothing was too much trouble, no diagram to explain everything was too much to ask and the friendliness and care I recieved was incredible. I was a very young patient for them all to be treating for bowel cancer, which was new for them all, but they carried me through every step in a way I could comprehend (not enjoy but understand). The meetings and discussions that were carried out through many doctors nurses and professionals across the UK, to ensure I was given the best and fastest treatment was amazing. The course and plan of action was altered many times but only to ensure the best possible outcome for a young fertile, 20 year old girl. All of this was because of the research that had been carried out. 

The final plan was decided in July 2012. It was too carry out surgery as soon as possible, to prevent the tumour from spreading into more lymph nodes as it was growing at a rapid rate. By July 13th I was in surgery, 2 weeks after I started fertility treatment and 11 eggs were harvested from me and put into storage, in September I started the gruelling course of chemotherapy. 8 sessions every 3 weeks, each session lasting 8 hours+. I still remember the sickening feeling as it started to run through my veins. I dreaded the 3 week mark returning but I knew I had to stick with it. Finally the last session came around in February and in March 2013 I was put into remission. 

Without cancer research none of this would of been possible, the groundbreaking research is lifesaving and I am so thankful every day for the life I have been given. The battle was short in the grand scheme of being able to live a fulfilling life now. 

Please see below the Challenges and activities I have planned over the next 11 months. Please contact me to get involved in any way you can. Thank you for your support. Sarah X

30 Challenges 

1. Den Days Competition - COMPLETED 

2. Fancy Friday - COMPLETED

3. Run 56 miles in February  - COMPLETED

 4.12 hour Bake (I will bake 12 different food items over 12 hours) -COMPLETED

5. Meals on Wheels (Baked items delivered to the highest bidders) - COMPLETED 

6. 10,000 steps a day in March - COMPLETED 

7. Technology free 24 hours - COMPLETED 

8.Skip for 30 minutes for 30 days in April - COMPLETED

9. Abseil in April - COMPLETED 

10. Swim for 30 hours during MAY - COMPLETED 

11.Virtual Craftathon for 24 hours - Friday 14th May - COMPLETED 

12. Dance your work day away, show off your best moves and help raise awareness of cancer research - Wednesday 7th July COMPLETED

13. Virtual Quiz - Sunday 30th May - COMPLETED 

14. Pooches day out (dog walk) - Sunday 6th June (Meet at Haldon Forest for 9.30am)  DELAYED Rescheduled for 5th September 

15. Jazz up your work stations in June - Wednesday 4th August - COMPLETED

16. Day on the water (Join me for a trip down the river Dart from Totnes to Dartmouth - Sunday 22nd August - COMPLETED

17. Family bike ride from Starcross to Double Locks, Exeter - Sunday 4th July COMPLETED

18. Walk from Newton Abbot Quay to Haytor Rock - September

19. Sea swim COMPLETED 

20. Toddle Waddle Week  (see how many steps you can walk with your little one, winner for the longest distance reached) COMPLETED

21. Family day out at Hound Tor - Sunday 18th September (Join us on the moors for a picnic, games, van talk and more. ) COMPLETED 

22. Child chooses clothes for a day - Wednesday 25th August  COMPLETED 

23. Night  from Shaldon to Dawlish Warren (Walk with friends through the night stars)- October

24: 15,000 steps a day for a week COMPLETED 

25: Name a tractor prize draw -  July - September COMPLETED 

26: Rock Climb challenge - Sunday 18th SEPTEMBER COMPLETED 

27: 20 press ups a day in SEPTEMBER COMPLETED 

28: 3000 squats in NOVEMBER - COMPLETED 

29: TRACTOR Draw Raffle  COMPLETED 

30: Tractor fun day - COMPLETED 

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