My name is Andrea Sheardown, I am 51, married and have three beautiful children aged 21, 20, & 11. I would like to share my story with you to raise awareness about the deadly cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma and raise lots of money for The UK’s only Cholangiocarcinoma charity called the AMMF.

In October 2015, my world was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma a rare form of bile duct cancer. This extremely aggressive form of cancer is normally difficult to detect and diagnose early enough for treatment. It is known as one of the ‘silent cancer killers,’ with less than 5% of people diagnosed surviving beyond 12 months and by the time of diagnosis it is often too advanced for surgery – which is currently the only potential cure. I had been experiencing some severe pain and discomfort in my ribcage and initially it was put down to strained muscles, however the pains intensified over a short period of time, and on further investigation with x-rays and scans, a large mass (the size of a small pineapple), was detected on my liver! Initially I was just given weeks to live due to the cancer being in advanced stages, but through our own perseverance we went on to get 2nd and 3rd opinions. Thankfully, I managed to defy the odds against me, and go on to have major surgery to my liver in November 2015 to remove the cancer. This was followed by a gruelling six months of chemotherapy. The treatment took its toll on my body, and I was hospitalised on numerous occasions, but giving up never entered my head. I know I have been incredibly lucky to have made it this far, so have since made it my mission to give back and help others dealing with this devastating cancer!

This cancer is increasing across all age groups, including younger people, and the cause of this ongoing increase is unknown. Much more research is desperately needed. AMMF is the UK’s only cholangiocarcinoma charity, dedicated to tackling this devastating cancer on all fronts: providing information and support, campaigning to raise awareness, and encouraging and supporting research.

Over the past 7 years with the help of my family and friends, I have organised many of fundraising events in aid of The AMMF cancer charity. Some of these have included - charity ladies’ nights, climbing ‘The Three Peaks,’ firewalking, cycle Events, bag packs, charity luncheons, and a yearly Christmas ‘Polar Post’ for children. I have also taken on some more serious challenges and been lucky enough to have been joined by my husband, children, and many amazing friends now aptly named as my ‘AndreasAMMFArmy!.’

These epic challenges have included: -

February 2018 – Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

February 2019 – Cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia

February 2020 – Climbing to Everest Base Camp

February 2023 – Cycling 1,000km from Bangkok to Phuket (originally planned for 2021, but delayed twice due to Covid)

Thanks to the generosity of family, friends, and many local businesses, all these fundraising activities have helped me to raise over £100,000 so far for The AMMF cancer charity!

I am continuing to have scans every few months and have been told this devastating cancer could come back at any stage, so setting myself these challenges has helped me to stay positive and focused and leads me on to my next big challenge:-

March 2024 – The Inca Trail & Rainbow Mountain!

Many people of heard of the Inca Trail and Macha Picchu in Peru, but not everyone has heard of Rainbow Mountain. This mountain was hidden by snow and ice until the end of 2015, when the snow melted away and revealed its true rainbow-like beauty to the world! Its multicoloured appearance is due to the sediments and minerals throughout, and this stunning mountain is over 17,060 feet high! This challenge will test our physical and mental endurance, due to the high altitudes that we will be exposed too! I am extremely lucky to be joined again by my husband Chris, my daughter Amelia and 21 amazing friends – Freya Nicolls, Anne Holdcroft, Marie Williams, Lisa Taylor, Janet McGroggan, Suzie McGroggan, Sam Weston, Lisa Smith, Jacqui Orme-Wilson, Franca Licata, Sally Murray, Kristina McCartney, Rachel Price, Simon Price, Andy Dale, Keith Fowles, Oly Rhodes, Jack Carr, Phil Clifton, David Wiley & Neil Pollock. Many of these friends have joined me on my previous challenges and continue to give up their own time and money to help me with my ongoing fundraising missions!

I feel destined to do this next challenge, as Rainbow Mountain revealed its true beauty to the world at the same time my own world was falling apart from my cancer diagnosis. It is considered by locals as a sacred and holy place, and ever since realising this positive connection to me, I have wanted to experience this beautiful natural wonder for myself!

We all fund our own places on these challenges, so all the money we raise from our fundraising activities go directly to the AMMF charity. Please keep an eye on this page over the next few months as we will post regular updates about our training and fundraising progress. Any donations big or small would be gratefully received and will help make a difference to this under-funded and neglected cancer Cholangiocarcinoma.

You can also follow my fundraising adventures via my Facebook page called AndreasAMMFArmy.

Thank you so much for taking the time to ready my story – Andrea #AndreasAMMFArmy

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