Raised: 125%
Target: £5,000.00
Raised so far: £6,234.00
Donate now

My story

 

Most of you know that in January 2008 I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer. This diagnosis came after I had (I now realise) ignored some of the key symptoms for too long. Despite this, I was one of the lucky ones!!! I had some truly outstanding medical care that helped me through the operation to remove the tumour and through the chemotherapy treatment that followed. But even more fortunate was the fact that I went to see my GP when I did. If the tumour had grown further into stage 4 then the outcome probably would have been quite different!

 

So, whilst I learnt plenty through the whole experience... the thing that I ask everyone to do now is what I didn't do! Be aware of the early symptoms of bowel cancer and if you know anyone who has any of the signs, then get them to their doctor to get checked out asap.  The facts are that 3% of the UK population will get bowel cancer at some point in their life. It is the 2nd biggest cancer killer in the developed world. 35,000 people are diagnosed with it each year in the UK and tragically 16,000 people are killed by it each year. Despite all this, it is one of the easiest cancers to treat successfully if it is caught early.

 

Simply put, the best thing we can all do is to be more aware of the early symptoms. Briefly these are:-

      - Blood in the stools

      - Change in bowel habits (diarrhoea or constipation)

      - Losing weight

      - Abdominal pain

      - Straining feeling in the rectum

      - Vomiting

      - Bloating

You wouldn't, of course, get all these.  And any of them could be due to other illnesses, but if you get any of these symptoms for any significant period, then I strongly encourage you to have a chat with your GP.

 

Anyway... I'm fine now and I'm keen to spread the word to increase awareness. One way of doing this is to get you all to read this (done!) and then to ask for your sponsorship to support one of the key charities who dedicate themselves to raising awareness of bowel cancer.

 

On November 1st I will be running (well, starting at least) the New York marathon. I have never completed a run of this distance previously and at best I can describe my training as "patchy". For me it will be a signicant achievement that will help me move on from last year. As I run around the 5 boroughs of New York, I will be thinking of what I went through last year and what I can do to help other people avoid the same experience. If you are prepared to help me on this journey, then please make whatever contribution you can.

 

Many thanks for anything you are prepared to give to this important cause. Please dig deep!

 

   Andy Mc

Well done on the run. Donation by Kirsty Stokes 16/11/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Donation by Pete Jakob 11/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Many congratulations on this great achievement - you are an inspiration! Donation by Fiona Capstick 11/11/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

A truly amazing achievement, well done Donation by Liza Hicks 11/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Fantastic effort Andy Mac, well done!! Donation by Danielle Coleman 10/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by sarah lofthouse 09/11/09  

£10.00

Donation by Lucy Cheesewright 09/11/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous 06/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Andy, truly fantastic - I have no doubt you will continue to make a difference in this wonderful cause. :-) Donation by Jean Kerr 06/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Andy, Well done for an incredible achievement Keep in touch. MC (that was the best excuse I have ever heard to go to NYC) :-) Donation by MariCarmen Ribes Espinosa 05/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Hi Andy, fantastic achievment and glad you are doing so well. Thinking of you all, much love, Tracy and Craig x Donation by Tracy Ord 05/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

You are truly inspirational Andy. Fantastic achievement, you should be very proud. With lots of love from Laurel, Paul & Thomas xxx Donation by Laurel Higgins 04/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Andy - a fantastic run and a fantastic amount raised! Best wishes. Kim Donation by Kim Gravell 04/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

For you and for my Mum. Thank you for doing this. Donation by Louise Kettle 04/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done Andy...what a fantastic achievement! Donation by Marie Paynter 04/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Congratulations on an amazing time! Donation by Jane & Paul (singleton) 03/11/09  

Well done Andy! Sending you positive vibes for a very bright future too. x Donation by Heather Barrett 03/11/09  

£26.00 + £7.33 Gift Aid

You are an inspiration. Congrats on finishing the race (I would have given to you anyhow) Donation by lisa dorenfest 03/11/09  

£50.00

Well done Andy - fantastic effort Donation by Aks + Vez 03/11/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Congratulations and good luck Donation by Elena Wood 03/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Congratulations Andy! What an acheivement. Hope you enjoyed New York once your legs recovered! Donation by Gabriella Callegari 03/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best wishes for this new journey! Donation by Nick Andrews 03/11/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Wow very impressive - a huge well done Donation by Rachel Allinson 03/11/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Andy...congratulations on this amazing achievement. Fantastic news for us back in London. Donation by Jennifer Parker 03/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Amazing! Congratulations Andy, brilliant job :0) Donation by Suzanne Burns 03/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done Andy, as a recreatioal runner I truly appreciate just what an achievement that finish time was. All the best in your new role. Donation by fiona hollands 03/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Congratulations Donation by Stephen Lockey 02/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done,best wishes cousin Donation by Jayne Holmes 02/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Fantastic Andy! Well done! So pleased to see how far you've come....literally!!!! Donation by Laura Adam 02/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Incredible time Andy and fantastic achievement for a tremendous cause... Donation by Nial Dunne 02/11/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £6,168.00
  Offline donations: £66.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £1,280.79

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.