After 3 weeks of starting university, I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 18, I had an operation and I was told that I would be fine and that I had just been unlucky. However, the following year I went back to University only to find 5 weeks later that the cancer had come back. It was then that I was told I would have to go through the horror of chemotherapy and the ultimate sacrifice of losing my precious curly blonde hair.
When going through such gruelling treatment it's extremely important to have happy things going on to keep you moving forwards and to keep fighting the cancer. This is where I met the Emily Ash Trust. During a break from the chemo I was invited, with 5 other cancer patients from the Royal Marsden to go on an amazing shopping trip up to Topshop in London Oxford Street. Not only would we be travelling in a limo, but we would also be given £500 to spend on anything we wanted in store! The whole experience of being treated like a superstar for the day and having something to live for, boosted my self esteem and my confidence in fighting the cancer, and getting on with my life.
After the trip I was due to have a huge operation, and it would be the outcome of this that would determine wether or not, the 7 cycles of chemo and 2 other operations I had endured,had finally killed off the cancer. I also said at this time, that if my results were clear I would train and do the Triathalon for the Emily Ash Trust.
In november 2008 I was told that the 3rd operation I'd had, had been a success and that there was no evidence of cancer in my body. So, as soon as I recovered from the op and the chemo I began training!
So thats why I'm here to get you to raise money for the Emily Ash Trust, the money will go towards: pamper days for adolesants, a holiday caravan for all the family to have time together away from the hospitals. The money also goes towards Sibling Days Out, this ensures that brothers and sisters get the attention, fun and time which cannot always be given by the parents of a child suffering with cancer. There are also other parts of the charity which money raised will go to, these can be found on: www.emilyashtrust.co.uk
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and hopefully we can raise enough money to make the target and MORE!!!!!!
